- Born on: September 3, 1944
- Departed on: June 21, 2023
- Resided in: Fairfield, IA
Joe "Bugzy" Nelson
Joe “Bugzy” Nelson, 78, of Fairfield, Iowa, passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 21st, 2023 surrounded by love and laughter (as she wanted) with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Celebration of life will be held at the Fairfield Community Center on Saturday, July 15, 2023, from 3-5pm.
Joe was born September 3, 1944, to Joe Ayala and Ellen (Grandors) in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Joe graduated from Saint Edmund High School in Fort Dodge, Iowa and began working as a CNA. Joe enjoyed providing care to the elderly and did so for 40 years before retiring from Fountain West Health Care Center in Des Moines.
Joe is survived by her children; Genia Ollom, Sonia (Tony) Chance, David (Andrea) Summers and Sue Cosper. Siblings; Terry Ayala-Dennis, Penny (Alan) McNeil, Joe (Pam) Grandors Jr., Steve (Deb) Grandors, Susy (Don) Wilson, John (Jeana) Grandors, Julia Grandors, and Marty (Heidi) Grandors. Also among survivors were her grandchildren and great grandchildren that she adored and spent most of her days with.
Joe was known for her love of all people, especially children. “Give me that baby” was a known phrase in the family. She opened her door, her kitchen, and her heart to everyone. She loved taking care of her grandchildren and great grandchildren and everybody’s dang children, and if you spoke with her, you knew she lived for them. She seemed to make every food more delicious than any you have tried, but the secret magic of the recipe of tamales or chicken mole was only in Joe’s memory, and family still tries to decode the magic. Joe’s laugh was contagious and so was her feist! She knew life was hard enough so laughing, sassing and love were the most important parts of her daily life. She remained resilient, kept her laughter, and kept loving, even after losing two sons way too soon in her life. Joe was known as Mom, Grandma, Oma, and Bugzy. We want to say we appreciate all that you have given us, and we will remain full of feist, love and laughter for generations.
Joe is preceded in death are her parents Joe Ayala and Ellen Grandors, her grandmother, Juanita Ayala, and her brother, Benny Ayala, her daughter Lora Nelson, and her sons Victor Nelson and James Nelson.
A memorial fund has been set up by Joe’s family in her honor. Memorials may be directed to her granddaughter Shana Neil to be donated at a future date.
Joe was born September 3, 1944, to Joe Ayala and Ellen (Grandors) in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Joe graduated from Saint Edmund High School in Fort Dodge, Iowa and began working as a CNA. Joe enjoyed providing care to the elderly and did so for 40 years before retiring from Fountain West Health Care Center in Des Moines.
Joe is survived by her children; Genia Ollom, Sonia (Tony) Chance, David (Andrea) Summers and Sue Cosper. Siblings; Terry Ayala-Dennis, Penny (Alan) McNeil, Joe (Pam) Grandors Jr., Steve (Deb) Grandors, Susy (Don) Wilson, John (Jeana) Grandors, Julia Grandors, and Marty (Heidi) Grandors. Also among survivors were her grandchildren and great grandchildren that she adored and spent most of her days with.
Joe was known for her love of all people, especially children. “Give me that baby” was a known phrase in the family. She opened her door, her kitchen, and her heart to everyone. She loved taking care of her grandchildren and great grandchildren and everybody’s dang children, and if you spoke with her, you knew she lived for them. She seemed to make every food more delicious than any you have tried, but the secret magic of the recipe of tamales or chicken mole was only in Joe’s memory, and family still tries to decode the magic. Joe’s laugh was contagious and so was her feist! She knew life was hard enough so laughing, sassing and love were the most important parts of her daily life. She remained resilient, kept her laughter, and kept loving, even after losing two sons way too soon in her life. Joe was known as Mom, Grandma, Oma, and Bugzy. We want to say we appreciate all that you have given us, and we will remain full of feist, love and laughter for generations.
Joe is preceded in death are her parents Joe Ayala and Ellen Grandors, her grandmother, Juanita Ayala, and her brother, Benny Ayala, her daughter Lora Nelson, and her sons Victor Nelson and James Nelson.
A memorial fund has been set up by Joe’s family in her honor. Memorials may be directed to her granddaughter Shana Neil to be donated at a future date.
