Harriet Mae Nelson

Harriet Mae Radloff Nelson was born September 22, 1923 in Plymouth, Wisconsin to Mr. Edwin G. Radloff and Ida (Hein) Radloff. She graduated from Plymouth High School, Plymouth, Wisconsin and continued her education at Miss Brown’s School of Business in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

She married Pfc. Merland W. Nelson on February 21, 1943 in San Antonio, Texas while he was in basic training at Ft. Sam Houston. Harriet wore a white and blue ensemble with red accessories completing her patriotic attire for their wedding. They met as teenagers in junior high school in Plymouth, Wisconsin and became high school sweethearts. They started their family in 1947 and embarked on a 26-year career in the United States Army, Harriet, Merland, Kris, Tim and Wally. During their life together, they lived in Great Britain and Germany and from coast to coast and border to border in the United States. Although there were months of separations during the 26 years, the family was together most of the time and enjoyed camping and visiting religious, natural, historical and cultural centers across Britain, Europe and the United States.

After graduation from Miss Brown’s School of Business, she was employed as a bookkeeper at the Curt G. Joa Company in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin and remained there during WWII, while her husband was fighting in the European Theater. When her children were all in school, she went back to work as a bookkeeper for The Little Yellow Book Company in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania and later joined the Credit Department at Sears in El Paso, Texas putting her excellent skills and work ethic to use for her family and the companies she served.

Throughout her life, she was an active church and community member. As a young wife and mother, she volunteered her time as a brownie scout, Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader. She served in leadership positions for several of the many Officer’s Wives Clubs, Girl Scout Divisions and Women of the Church groups she served around the world and across the United States. After her children were grown and her husband retired from the Army, she became a prize winning needlepoint stitcher. She continued to be a leader with neighborhood women’s clubs in San Antonio; chapters of the American Needlepoint Guild in El Paso, Texas, Alto, New Mexico, and San Antonio, Texas; and her church. When she moved to a retirement community she organized and hosted communion for residents in her apartment with her church, The Church of the Resurrection.

When an elementary school opened near her home in Royal Ridge, San Antonio, TX she became a volunteer mentor and was honored in February 2007 for her service by the Northeast Independent School District.

Harriet loved music and played the French horn during junior and high school. Hooked by basketball while cheering her sweetheart during his high school and semi-pro playing days, she was an avid Spurs fan and enjoyed watching all their games on television.

An only child, Harriet was close with her cousins and made friends easily. She is a favorite aunt to several nieces and nephews. The girls she led in girl scouts remember her as an inspiration for their dreams and visions to be and try things they would otherwise not try. She took great pride in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and encouraged them to reach for their dreams too. She always looked for the best in everyone and encouraged them to follow their dreams.

Harriet was predeceased by her parents Edwin and Ida, her husband Merland, and her son Timothy. She is survived by her daughter Kristine Nelson Howland; her son Walter M. Nelson (Mimi McKnight), her four grandchildren Amber Ford (Colby), Aaron Nelson, Austin Nelson (LaShelle), and Adam Nelson; her five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, September 17, 2018 at the Sunset Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at The Church of Resurrection, 5909 Walzam Rd with Father Christopher Cole and Father Paul Worley officiating. Interment to follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Church of Resurrection, 5909 Walzam Rd, San Antonio, TX 78218, or a charity of choice.