Janet E. Nelson

Janet Eileen Nelson, 75, of Galesburg, died Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at Knox County Nursing Home in Knoxville.

She was born January 9, 1949 in Galesburg, the daughter of Clarence C. and Odessa Electa (Stephan) Augustson. Jan was reared and educated in Galesburg, graduating from high school in 1967. She attended Colorado Women’s College and received her bachelor’s degree in Russian Literature. Jan worked at a variety of places throughout her life which included managing several different restaurants over a course of time, assisted at Statice Gardens for a couple of years, worked at Knox College and managed the Knox Galesburg Orchestra. She married Ronald E. Nelson on March 20, 1988 in Galesburg. He preceded her in death on June 7, 2000.

Left to cherish her memory is one daughter, Elisabeth Dyke of New Orleans, Louisiana; one brother, John (Carol) Augustson of Salisbury, North Carolina; one sister, Jane Augustson of Galesburg; nephews and nieces, John “J.C.” Augustson of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jacob (Alison) Augustson of Salisbury, North Carolina, Jodi Brown of Chicago, Illinois, and Joffrey (Kurt) Brown of Orlando, Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband of twelve years.

Jan was an avid reader and a very loyal patron to the Galesburg Public Library. She enjoyed attending book club with her friends.

Cremation will be accorded. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be given to Knox-Galesburg Symphony or the Galesburg Public Library Foundation.