Kate Nelson

A Celebration of Life for Kate Nelson, age 71, of Milford, will be held at 2:00pm on Monday, August 17, 2026, at the Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford. Visitation will take place prior to the service from 1:00-2:00pm at the funeral home. A reception will take place at the Ritz immediately following the service.

Kate Williams Nelson, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and one-of-a-kind soul, passed away on Monday, August 10, 2026, surrounded by the love of those who meant the most to her.

Kate was born in Fort Knox, Kentucky, to Bonnie and Bert Williams. She was the sixth of eight children and grew up in Garwin/Marshalltown surrounded by the love of her siblings-both those who preceded her in death, Dennis, Bill, Linda, Cindy, and Mel, and those left to cherish her memory, Judy and Clyde.

Kate was a mother to two daughters, Amy (Jason) Hennies and Kari (Heath) Jacobsen, and she took great pride in the families they created. She was a grandmother to Tegan and Jaxon Hennies, and Asa and Raya Jacobsen. Her grandchildren brought her a special kind of joy, and she loved watching them grow into the people they were becoming.

If there was fun to be had, Kate wanted to be part of it. She was always the life of the party and the one who could turn an ordinary gathering into a good time. She loved laughter, music, celebrations, and simply enjoying the moment. She had a way of making memories wherever she went, and many of those memories will undoubtedly begin with, “Remember when Kate…”

Kate loved connecting with music and expressing herself through art in her own unique way. She never needed to follow the rules and simply enjoyed creating and making things her own.

Some lifelong friendships become family, and Kate was blessed with two of those rare relationships. Debbie Griffiths and Janis Leiss began as friends but became sisters in every way that mattered. Their friendship was filled with laughter, memories, adventures, and the kind of love that stood the test of time.

In her later years, Kate found a special love with Jeff Hawn. Their relationship brought companionship, happiness, and another person to share in life’s good moments. She treasured the love they found and the time they spent together.

Kate will be remembered for her big personality, her love of a good time, and her ability to make life a little more interesting. She didn’t need everything to be perfect to enjoy herself, she simply knew how to have fun, and she leaves behind countless memories of laughter, music, celebrations, and moments that will be cherished by those who loved her.

Her greatest legacy will live on in her daughters, grandchildren, family, and friends who will carry her stories, her laughter, and her spirit with them. She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever celebrated.