Lola Nelson

Lola Mozell “Mo” Nelson, age 83 of Niles, Michigan died on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at the Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville following in extended illness. She was born November 21, 1932 in Manchester, Indiana to Jess B. and Iza Ann (Robinson) Orrick.

Mo was raised in Niles. She worked in Florida, where she was an owner and operator of a restaurant, and also California and Indiana before returning to Niles in 1981. She loved to travel, was active in the VFW Post #1167 in South Bend and was a life-long member of the American Legion Post #50 Auxiliary in South Bend, the AMVETS 1978 Ladies Auxiliary in Niles, and Fraternal Order of Eagles #2094 in Niles. She enjoyed playing cards and shuffleboard.

On March 4, 1955, Mo married Donald Keith Nelson at the Birds Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada (or Yuma, Arizona). He preceded her in death on October 2, 1999. Mo was also preceded in death by her siblings, Alice Farris, Cecil Orrick, Joe Orrick, Russell Orrick and Frances Sellers.

Surviving family includes one daughter, Debby (& Glen) Alexander and one son, Scott Nelson, all of Tallahassee, Florida; two grandchildren, Rusty Alexander of Panama City, Florida and Carla (& Jason) Vignoul of Pooler, Georgia; two great-granddaughters, Abbie Faith Pena and Alexandria Mae Vignoul. Also surviving are nephews Joe Saratore of South Bend, Indiana and Ron Morgan of Elkhart, Indiana; niece Peggy Webster of Las Vegas, Nevada; many other nieces and nephews, and long-time companion Kenneth Nelson of Niles.

The funeral service for Lola Mozell “Mo” Nelson will be held at 11:00a.m. on Monday, April 13, 2015 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Interment will follow at Mission Hills.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 5-7:00p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.

Donations in memory of Mo may be made to either AMVETS or to the organization of choice.

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