Gwendoline "Gwen" E. Nelson, 89, of New Hartford, MO, passed away on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at her residence.  She was born on Sept. 6, 1932 in Pike County to Chester and Jewell (Hellyer) Wilhoit.   After her formal schooling she and her girlfriend from school moved to St. Louis and worked at Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.  About a year later, they transferred with the telephone company to the state of California.  This is where she met Russell Kenneth Gilbert.  The rest is history, the couple was married on April 16, 1955 in California.   Their first child, Kim was born there.  After serving his time in the U.S. Navy, her husband and family relocated back to Pike County.  Four more children were born: Karen, Kevin, Kerry and Kay.  She helped on the family farm as they raised, hogs, cattle, sheep and grew row crops.  Gwen was a very hard worker and nuturing mother to her five children.  She loved working outside with animals and farming. She later married Glen H. Nelson on July 3, 1975.  She worked along side her husband as a crop insurance adjuster while also living on the farm.  Tending to her flower gardens and bird watching were some of her pastimes.  Her family remembers her delicious angel food cakes made from scratch and her home-made meals from the garden or freezer.  Gwen worked up until the age of 81 and so enjoyed helping people.  She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Surviving are her loving children: Kim Bowman of Yellsville, AR, Karen (Dan) Graver of Bowling Green, Kevin (Sonya) Gilbert of New Hartford, Kerry (Theresa) Gilbert of Middletown, Kay Elwood of Middletown; 12 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Gwen was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands and an infant sister, Mary Wilma.

Visitation scheduled from 10a.m. until 1p.m. on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at the McCoy-Blossom Funeral Homes & Crematory, 701 N. Business Hwy 61, Bowling Green, MO 63334 (Tel Nos. (573)213-5110 or (636) 528-8244).

Funeral service scheduled at 1p.m. on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at the McCoy-Blossom Funeral Homes & Crematory, Bowling Green location.  Officiating will be Rev. Jennie Gosnell. Interment to follow in the Siloam Cemetery, New Hartford, MO.  Serving as pallbearers: Jeremy Flinn, Steve Fuerst, Tony Fuerst, Brian Christian , Mack Elwood and Jordan Pritchett.   Memorial donations may be made to : Donor's Choice c/o the funeral home. Friends and family are invited to visit our website at mccoyblossomfh.com to sign the on-line guest register at: www.mccoyblossomfh.com

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