Irene Della Nelson, 97, of Malta, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at Oak Crest DeKalb Area Retirement Center in DeKalb.

 She was born March 1, 1928, in DeKalb, Illinois, the daughter of Ike and Villo (Henderson) Jacobs. Irene attended Haish  School and in 1945 she graduated from DeKalb High School. After graduation she attended Aurora Business School and worked at Wurlitzer. Irene married Warren "Ken" Nelson  on December 5, 1948 and they were married for 68 years. They moved to the farm in Malta where they remained until 2016. They raised five children, one daughter and four sons.

 Over the many years she had belonged and was active in several organizations: American Legion Auxiliary, Malta Woman’s Club, Malta Junior Woman’s Club, African Violet Club, Happy Harmony, Malta PTA, serving as an officer in many of them. She also worked part time at Bonnie’s Hallmark and Algot Moline’s Painting. She served many years as an election judge. In later years she worked alongside her husband at Carr Elevators in Malta. One highlight of her life was a trip in 1979 to Sweden with her husband and aunt to meet and spend time with her husband’s family. Irene was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in DeKalb.

 She is survived by her children Connie McCauley, Roger (Ann) Nelson, James Nelson, Douglas (Lisa) Nelson and Robert (Dena) Nelson; her twelve grandchildren Jennifer (John) Megli, Rachel (Aaron) Lutz, Jeremy Daley, Michael (lala) Nelson, Christine (Jon) Taylor, Bradley (Shannon) Nelson, Scott (Stacy) Nelson, Keith (Danika) Nelson, Emily Nelson, Thomas Nelson and Amanda (Bryan) Glass; and her step-granddaughter Rowena Murdoch. She is also survived by nineteen great grandchildren.

 She was preceded in death by her husband Ken; her daughter-in-law Carol Nelson; her sons-in-law Edward McCauley and Timothy Daley; her grandson Carl Nelson; and her Parents and Parents-in-law.

 The Funeral Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 511 Russell Rd, DeKalb. A private family Burial will be held at Malta Cemetery.  

 Visitation will be from 2:00 until the time of services at 4:00 p.m. at the church.

 In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church in DeKalb in memory of Irene Della Nelson.

 For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.