Clara Mary Nelson

Clara Mary Nelson, nee Rimovsky, 102, passed away peacefully July 29, 2016, at the Kindred Transitional Care and Rehabilitation Center in Dyer, Indiana. Clara was born December 31, 1913, in Chicago, Illinois, to Rudolph and Margaret (Stuart) Rimovsky. She was one of five children (Grace, Clara, Floyd, Jean and Dorothy). She attended West Pullman Elementary School and Fenger High School. On January 7, 1932, Clara married Leo Ivan Battling Nelson and raised four children: Leo, Roger, Jean and Floyd. During her lifetime Clara was employed by Illinois Bell Telephone/AT&T from 1947 to 1974, first as a switchboard operator and finally as a supervisor. In addition, she worked as a switchboard operator and chief operator at the Pick Congress Hotel in Chicago from 1969 to 1973 and 1974 to 1977. In 1977, Clara moved to Morehead City, North Carolina, to help a nephew relocate to that area. She decided to stay in North Carolina until 1988 then returned to the Chicago area to be near family. From 1988 until 2009, she resided in several suburbs south of the city, mostly in Lynwood, Illinois. As a result of both age and health issues, she could no longer live independently and, at the age of 96, moved to Kindred Transitional Care and Rehabilitation Center. Clara was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Leo, her youngest son, Floyd, her sisters Grace (Rimovsky) Osborn, Jean Rimovsky, and her brother Floyd Rimovsky. Clara is survived by her three remaining children: Leo (Marilyn), Roger (Irene), and Jean (Steve) Toth. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Debbie, Christine (Kevin), Nerissa (Axel), Dan (Joan), Leslie (Mark), Sandy (Tim), Jennifer (Ron), and Kelly (David); and by 18 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held Saturday, October 1, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Mount Vernon Memorial Estates in Lemont, IL.