Margaret Nelson

Margaret Nelson, 92, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 4, 2022.

She was born on June 4, 1930, in Pirmasens, Germany. Margaret was the daughter of the late Magdalena (Meyer) and Georg Erwin Schaab.

On January 28, 1956, Margaret married the love of her life, Alfred A. Nelson, in Pirmasens, Germany, where they met during the War. Together they shared nearly 63 wonderful years of marriage, traveling the world extensively. They were not only husband and wife, but true soul mates and shared a loving, devoted relationship.  Alfred preceded her in death on January 19, 2019.

Left to cherish her memory are her sister-in-law, Faith Nelson (Florida); two nieces, Amy E. Fitzwilliam of Missouri and Cari A. Frederick of llinois; and a nephew, Nathan C. Nelson, Jr, of New Hampshire.

In 1939, the City of Pirmasens was evacuated as a French attack was feared, so the Schaab family were taken by truck, to live temporarily in Enkenback, Pfalz, Germany.  In 1940, her family returned.  In 1943, Pirmasens was bombed, so family again evacuated, this time to Taucha, near Leipzig, Germany, which later became part of East Germany.  In 1948, along with her Mother and Brother, they walked for “weeks” from Taucha to Helmstedt (approximately 100 miles) on the East/West German border.  After a brief stay in a German refugee camp, they then proceeded by train back to Pirmasens.  While trying to reach the west German border from Leipzig, both Russian and US troops were shooting at all would-be refugees.  After returning to Pirmasens, Margaret worked a few different jobs, including the Masel Drogerie (drugstore) and the US Army Post Exchange (PX).  Margaret soon met and married 1st Lt Alfred A. Nelson.  Margaret’s first trip to the USA was with “Flying Tiger” airline to meet up with her husband who had been sent earlier to the States.

Over the span of decades, Margaret and Alfred first lived with her new in-laws in the St. Louis area. With Alfred’s employment, they moved to Milwaukee, WI; then Dusseldorf, Germany; Bombay, India; Wauwatosa, WI; on to Yokohama, Japan; back to Dusseldorf, Germany; Wiesbaden, Germany; Brugge, Belgium; Granger, IN; then back to Brugge, Belgium; and finally landed in Granger, IN, to retire.

Margaret and Alfred chose Granger, Indiana, to enjoy their retirement years, still frequently continuing to travel the world.   Margaret and Alfred enjoyed their life together every day.

A special heartfelt appreciation for the assistance provided by all of her physicians, Senior Helpers, as well as all of the staff at Schubert Villas/Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame, and finally Heart to Heart Hospice of Mishawaka, Indiana.

Memorial contributions may be made in Margaret’s name to Alzheimer's and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.

Cremation will take place. There are no services planned at this time.

To send condolences, please visit www.McGannHay.com.