Carol A. Nelson, 68 of Knoxville, passed away at home with her daughters at her side on Thursday, May 16, 2024.
Carol was born on August 11, 1955 in Bloomington, IL. She was the daughter of Merritt and Dorothy (Stephens) Neuschwanger. Carol married the love of her life, Stephen “Steve” Nelson on November 24, 1984 in Galesburg. Together they celebrated a life of ten years before he preceded her in death on August 6, 1995. Surviving Carol are her daughters, Hannah (Dane) Young and Carrie (Tyler Eklund) Nelson, both of Knoxville; grandson, Raiden; honorary granddaughter, Halen; stepchildren, Amber Wold of Cuba and Jason Wold of Colorado; a brother Samuel (Elizabeth) Neuschwanger of Fort Wayne, Indiana and sister, Andrea (Tim) Fisher of The Villages, Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Steve; and her partner, Gregory Wold in 2014.
Carol was a 1974 graduate of Canton High School. She then went on to graduate from Western Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. Carol taught 4th grade in Earlville. She then went on to become the Preschool Director at the Knoxville United Methodist Church Preschool from 1996-99. She was a Customer Service Representative forFirst-Mid Bank of Knoxville from 2005 until her retirement in 2020. In her retirement, she served as the secretary for the Knoxville United Methodist Church from 2021-22.
Carol was a member of the Knoxville United Methodist Church, where she had past served as a choir director, and the Knoxville American Legion Women’s Auxiliary. Carol had an avid interest in archeology-especially Ancient Egypt. She loved music from singing in high school to experiencing musicals and musical theatre. She also loved the holidays and enjoyed cooking and experimenting with recipes and watching television and romance movies. Most of all, she was happiest when at home surrounded by her family and spoiling her grandson.
Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM, Friday, May 24, 2024, at the Knoxville United Methodist Church. Visitation will be two hours prior from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Rev. Dave Mustain will officiate. Burial will follow at the Knoxville Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Knoxville United Methodist Church. On-line condolences and/or expressions of sympathy may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com.
