Mary Jo Nelson

On April 26, 2021 Mary Josephine "Jo" Nelson lost a valiant battle with cancer. She passed away quietly in her home in California with family at her side. Mary Jo was born on July 30, 1938 in Davenport Iowa, and was one of six children born to Eloise Arnould Van Camp and Albert "Al" Van Camp, Sr.

Mary Jo wed Don Nelson in 1958 and five children were born of the marriage. Jo and Don raised their children in the Quad Cities Area of Moline, Illinois and later, Indianapolis, IN. With her children grown, Mary Jo then moved to Southern California and the Palm Springs area in 1988, where she spent almost 1/3 of her life. She loved the desert sun and being closer to children and grandchildren. In 2014 Mary Jo retired from non profit work, having spent more than ten years with The Berger Foundation. From a young age, she enjoyed varied experiences and appreciated life long learning; spending her time reading and taking classes including Interior Design, Graphoanalysis, Reiki and Pragmatism.

Jo is survived by her two sisters, Eloise "Boots" Hult of Kansas City, KS and Iva Marie Kelley and husband Ron, of Lafayette, IN; Her children, John & Theresa Nelson of Orlando, FL; Anne Nelson of Indianapolis, IN; Mike & Lauren Nelson of Dallas, TX; Jeff & Vicki Nelson of San Diego, CA; Andrea Nelson of Phoenix, AZ; her three grandchildren, Christopher Nelson, Samantha Nelson, and Erin Nelson Pritzker, and 17 nieces and nephews!
Mary Jo was preceded in death by her sister, Roberta Van Camp Kealey and her two brothers Albert J. "Joe" Van Camp, Jr. and Anthony A. "Tony" Van Camp, Sr.

Services for family and friends will be held on June 9, 2021, at 8 am at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cathedral City, CA. In lieu of flowers, Jo had a passion for children and the mission of St. Jude CRH to end childhood cancer. The family asks that you consider donating to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in her memory.