Katharine Ann Nelson

Katharine Ann (Mielke) Nelson passed away, February 8, 2025, two years after being diagnosed with brain cancer.  She was born in Kansas City, Missouri, May 9, 1954, to John “Jack” and Katharine Lee (Barnard) Mielke. Nicknamed “Kam” by her parents, she later preferred to be called “Kate”.  She was actively involved in Job’s Daughters, alongside three of her sisters, and graduated from Southwest High School in 1972. Kam left Kansas City to earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Tulsa in 1977. She then worked as a nurse at Saint Francis hospital, working in oncology, IV therapy, and labor and delivery.

She married William “Larry” Nelson, April 5, 1981, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and had two daughters, Meredith and Lauren. As an Army wife, she moved many times, including to Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina, Panama, and Tennessee. When Larry retired from the army in 1994, they decided to settle down in St. Robert, MO. Kam was an amazing mom and very engaged in the girls’ lives. She was active in the PTA and Girl Scouts, shuttled them to various sports and after-school activities, and always ensured they got their homework done. Always an animal lover, she welcomed several birds, hamsters, cats and dogs into their home over the years. After Larry retired from teaching, they took many road-trips together, visiting friends and historic sites across the country. 

In 2013, Kam and Larry were blessed with their first grandchild, Timothy, followed by Katie, Alex, and Felicity.  In 2022 they moved near Cairo, Missouri, to live across the road from Meredith and their grandchildren. Being a grandmother provided another opportunity to cuddle, guide, and inspire.  Tons of books, craft projects, puzzles, and sporting equipment again filled her house, and, of course, a swing set was part of the backyard décor.  

When diagnosed with Glioblastoma in 2023, Kate’s initial response was to see what she could do before her time on Earth was up. She and Larry took the kids and grandkids to Branson, visited Lauren in Saint Louis several times, and drove to the battle of little big horn in Montana before being forced to slow down.

Kam passed away peacefully, surrounded by her immediate family at Boone Hospital. A perfect wife, sister, mom, and grandmother has left this world to join our God in heaven. She will be missed by William L. Nelson, Meredith Kay Nelson, Lauren Faith Nelson, her stepmother Doris (Bahr Mielke) Waller, her sisters Georgia (Bahr) Schmittling, Elaine (Bahr) Bucklew, Jennifer (Bahr) Villatora, Nancy (Waller) Carter, and her grandchildren Loyd Henry Timothy Richardson III, Katharine June Richardson, Alexander Charles Richardson, and Felicity Ann Richardson. She will also be missed by many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.

A celebration honoring Katharine's life was held at Cairo Baptist Church.