Mary Jean Nelson

Mary Jean (Monkoski) Nelson April 8, 1934 - April 3, 2019 Mary Jean, a cherished wife, mother and grandmother, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was born on April 8, 1934 in Atlantic Mine, a small town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Her parents were Joseph and Margaret (Barich) Monkoski. Mary Jean grew up in Atlantic Mine and graduated as Valedictorian of her class in 1951. She went on to the University of Michigan where she obtained a degree in Business Administration in 1955. While attending the University of Michigan, Mary Jean was Finance Manager of the Michigan Daily and President of Tyler House. Upon graduating, she moved to Long Beach, California where she met and married her husband, Frederick Nelson. They moved to Dayton, Ohio in 1957 when Fred was called on active duty with the Air Force. After moving to Beavercreek, Ohio, Mary Jean helped to establish a school for children with developmental disabilities and taught special education classes at the Ohio Soldiers and Sailers Orphans Home and at the Beavercreek High School. She also became an avid gardener and birder. Mary Jean and her family moved to Colorado Springs in 1981 where she worked with families of individuals with developmental disabilities while working at PEAK Parent Center and the Colorado Department of Education. She continued to garden and became an avid hiker. She and her husband traveled to all seven continents and 54 countries. Mary Jean is survived by her husband of 63 years, Frederick; sons, Jeffery, Eric, and Charles; daughter-in-laws Tazi, Libby, and Edith; and four grandchildren, Ashley, Maddy, Nicholas, and Chad. One son, Steven, predeceased her in 1993. Memorial Service: 10 AM, May 10, 2019, Sacred Heart Church, 2021 West Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80904. Instead of flowers, please send donations to Sacred Heart Food Pantry, Garden of the Gods Foundation, or the National Kidney Foundation. Service Information Memorial Mass Friday May 10, 2019 10:00 AM Sacred Heart Catholic Church 2030 W Colorado Ave Colorado Springs, CO. 80904 Reception Friday May 10, 2019 11:15 AM Sacred Heart Catholic Church 2030 W Colorado Ave Colorado Springs, CO. 80904 Committal Friday May 10, 2019 2:30 PM Mount St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Cemetery , CO.