Diane Marie Nelson

A light has gone out of the world, and we are saddened to report that Diane Nelson passed away Sunday Oct 25. Diane was born on May 14, 1962, the 7th child of Karl and Margaret Edelbrock. We have lost a Wife, a Mom, a Nana, a friend, a partner. It will be difficult, but we will find a way forward. Shed a tear, because it is a loss, but please remember to smile, as Diane always smiled in greeting to everyone she met. In honor of her, reach out and hug someone and know that you will feel her in the hug you receive.

Diane is survived by her husband Robert Nelson, her 4 children, Kiana (Chris) Kinaschuk, Janessa (Michael) Steele, Mathias Nelson, Savanah Nelson and her 1 grandchild John Kinaschuk. She is also survived by her brothers, John (Cindy) Edelbrock, Roger (Michele) Edelbrock, David Edelbrockand Sisters Linda (Wells) Warner and Karen (Ron) Gephart

Diane is predeceased by her parents Karl and Margaret and her brother Thomas

Diane graduated from Findlay High School in 1980 and from the University of Dayton (Go Flyers) in 1984.

Diane was a lifelong teacher, she worked in the States of Ohio, New Mexico, California and Colorado. But Diane also was a teacher in life, when she worked at Senior Living Centers; first at the Gardens of Columbine and then later at Someren Glenn in Centennial Colorado. She got great joy in meeting and working with people. Every place she went she gathered friends to her. Diane never met a stranger for more than 5 minutes, that was all the time it took for her to make a new friend.

Diane loved family, but to her, that meant doing things for and with family. She wanted to spend time with them; Christmas, Thanksgiving, all other holidays and really any time it could be arranged. Part of the Edelbrock tradition was that at every family gathering there had to be more food than anyone could eat. A big spread was part of the joy of the gathering. Her love also meant reaching out to others, she was involved in service projects, Girl Scouts, church, St Vincent de Paul and many others. Her faith was a faith of doing, of action and her faith was a central part of her life.

Diane was never happier than when she was outside, doing anything. She found great joy while camping, hiking, biking, kayaking, skiing, gardening, everything. And even more joy in bringing the joy of the outdoors to others; her children, her nieces and nephews, her friends. It was always a lot of fun for her to plan on outings where everyone got to be outside and active.

Diane was my partner and my friend. Some have heard, we met on a cold January night at a bar in Toledo Ohio., I was smitten. And then what a journey we went on together. We jointly decided that we wanted to leave the mid-west (Ohio and Michigan) and travel west. We moved to Albuquerque, where we lived for 3 years. Those were fun times. However, life sometimes throws a hurdle, my job moved us to Los Angeles, but we made friends there and established a life. 3 of the children were born there; Kiana, Janessa and Mathias. But we always wanted to get back to the mountains. So, in 1993 we were able to relocate to Colorado where our 4th child Savanah was born and boy were we happy. This was the place we were going to make our home. First in Parker and then at our house in Littleton.

Her battle with Cancer started in 2020. She fought it every day in every way she could. She had terrific care from all the medical people who supported her; Dr. Manoj Bupathi, Dr. Jeff James, all the wonderful ladies at the infusion center at Rocky Mountain Cancer Center.

As her daughter Janessa said, Diane was a community builder. She knew that to receive back from the community you had to give to the community. And the community was everyone.

A Funeral mass will be held at, Pax Christi Catholic Church (10675 Jaguar Dr, Lone Tree, CO 80124), Nov 7 at 11 am. A reception lunch will be served afterwards in the parish great hall. All are welcome. Diane will be interred next to her Mother and Father at St. Michaels Cemetery in Findlay Ohio on Saturday Nov 21 at 11 am.

in lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Elizabeth's Pantry at Pax Christi Catholic Community, 10675 Jaguar Drive, Lone Tree, CO 80124. St. Elizabeth's is the community-oriented food bank at Pax Christi helping people who are in need.