No “Shopping” Was Necessary

Jerry and Pam Nelson “Added Up” to a Winning “Team”!

“Some 47 years ago a family bought a bungalow in Wellman near downtown on 4th – facing south, back to the north. “Nelson” was this family’s name – nothing that implied acclaim. Little did folks know back then, a legacy had just begun! Their story is retold below. Read it! Your hearts will overflow with love, respect, and mem’ries dear! They’ve giv’n so much year after year!”

Jerry

Sports have always been a big part of my life. In high school I was in football, basketball, track, baseball and fast pitch softball. Dr. Tom Davis was the varsity basketball coach at a school in our athletic conference. When I made the All-Conference Basketball Team my senior year, Tom recommended that his alma mater, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, basketball coach recruit me, which he did. I had already decided I wanted a career that included coaching, but back then one had to be a teacher to coach. UW Platteville had an outstanding Industrial Education program, so that became my major with a minor in PE and coaching. A few years later, I earned my MA in Industrial Education from Northern Illinois University.

After graduating from Platteville in 1966, I began my teaching/ coaching career in Byron, Illinois, where I met Pam. We were married that spring of 1967. Our first 10 years of marriage were spent in Illinois, and I even got to teach and coach a few years in my hometown, Oregon, with teachers and coaches I had had as a student.

Then in 1976, Illinois was in big trouble financially. Schools were forced to make deep cuts, especially in elective courses, and my position was eliminated. This was pretty scary, as we had four daughters by then, and Pam was staying home with them. I was the sole breadwinner. I interviewed at two Iowa schools, and Mid-Prairie was the clear choice. So our family moved to Wellman, and I taught woodworking and PE at the junior high in Kalona. Through the years, I coached football, boys’ and girls’ basketball, boys’ track, baseball and softball, with usually three sports in a given school year. That’s A LOT of bus rides!

When we retired in 2003, I had taught 37 years – 27 of them at Mid-Prairie. A good church friend helped me add a woodworking shop onto our house, where I have spent many happy hours these past 20 years, making over 1,200 projects and counting. I like golfing in the summer and have gotten two holes-in-one -- so far! At almost 81, I am the oldest golfer in the Wellman League among many former students – an interesting and rewarding experience.

I work out nearly every day at our YMCA and have taken several fitness classes where the instructor challenged us out of our comfort zones. I also play basketball and shoot free throws at the “Y”, but my old record of 54 consecutive free throws in the MPJH gym still stands! I hope as a teacher and coach that I have affected my students and athletes in a positive way. When I look back on my past, I get a smile on my face, and Mid-Prairie is a big part of that smile. Having worked in several school districts, Mid-Prairie was, hands down, my favorite. GO HAWKS!

I graduated from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, in 1966 and started teaching math and science in Byron, Illinois. Jerry and I met at our very first teachers’ meeting and married 7 months later! The next school year, I was pregnant with our first child and decided I would take a break from teaching to stay home with our baby. Annabeth was born that summer of 1968, and three more daughters arrived in the next few years – Chloe, Nia, and Nicole. for me is our 25th Anniversary. We walked into a daytime band concert to find a “Happy Anniversary” banner clear across the gym wall. Our dear friend and band teacher, Becky Curtis, had the bands play “Shop Class” for Jerry and “Ode to a Computer” for me! She also had the staff sign a lovely Silver Anniversary book for us.

Colleague Memories of the Nelsons

Ray Schrepfer (MP Junior High Principal 1965-1997)

We moved to Wellman in 1976, and I eased back into teaching at Mid-Prairie by subbing and teaching computer literacy classes to community adults, Mid-Prairie staff, elementary and junior high students. In the 90’s, I returned to teaching junior high math full time until our retirement in 2003.

As a teacher, I loved that every day was different and that one is constantly learning from both peers and students. I value the friendships made at Mid-Prairie, where I always felt a church influence from our community. All of my Mid-Prairie coworkers kept my job very enjoyable, but if I were to name two who stood out, they would be Ray Schrepfer (junior high principal 1965-1997) and Joyce Mattes (junior high secretary 1985-2010). They were exceptional leaders who provided guidance, kept us organized and made our jobs easy!

Some of my happiest memories include going to work with my husband every day and stepping out of my math room between classes to see him wave to me from his shop door at the opposite end of the l-o-n-g hallway. Once he sent a group of girls down to sing me a song he knew I would love – what a fun special delivery! I always enjoyed it when students came in to talk, discuss a problem, share a joy or just get some extra math help. An outstanding memory

One of our most difficult times was the year Jerry’s parents died right at the start of the school year. The beginning of school can be chaotic, so it’s important to be organized and set the tone and expectations for the year. I was blessed to have a recently retired friend and math teacher, Dick Oyer, step in and take over my classes requiring little input from me! (Sadly, Dick recently passed away February 19, 2023, at the age of 91 -- see obituary on page 26.)

My interests outside of teaching have included church choir directing for 30-ish years, church organist, gardening, computer projects, swimming, puzzles, walking, poetry, arts and crafts, and word and number games.

Jerry started at Mid-Prairie when Title IX was first implemented, requiring equal opportunities for girls and boys in the classroom and in sports. With that, Jerry had ample opportunities to coach and taught industrial arts to both girls and boys. I’ll bet there are many of his students who still have a shop project on a wall or sitting in their home! Pam re-entered the teaching scene just as computers were being introduced into schools. She was instrumental in researching, developing and teaching basic computer classes to junior high students. She was the advisor for the junior high newspaper, “The Hawk’s Eye”, and also taught math. The Nelsons were dedicated educators and great role models. I feel very fortunate to have associated and worked with them!

Joyce Mattes (MP Junior High/ Middle School Secretary 19852010)

I loved teaching and would probably do it all over again! I am well aware that it is tougher now, but it is still a fulfilling career that I would highly recommend. I will always be thankful that Illinois’ financial problems pushed us into Iowa, specifically the Mid-Prairie school district. That move blessed us with good jobs in a good school district, good friends, good church and a great place to raise our family!

Jerry and Pam were such a fun couple to work with; always smiling, kind to everyone and bringing positive vibes to the building! Jerry was the neatest, cleanest shop teacher I’ve ever seen. He took pride in his classroom and work area. His students built amazing wood projects as he taught them skills and safety with so much patience. I was the recipient of many of Jerry’s personal projects, which I have proudly displayed in my home! Pam was the computer teacher in the 80’s and taught me word processing, Excel and all the keyboard shortcuts on my Apple II. She put in hours of extra time to teach all of us with her knowledge, expertise and patience!

Nancy Hurd (MP Middle School Principal 2000-2013)

Jerry and I had an instant bond due to our previous basketball coaching experiences. He and I shared stories and enjoyed each other’s perspectives! My favorite memory of Pam is how comfortable and competent she was with emerging technology in our school, all the while being one of the more veteran teachers on staff. She tackled many in house problems and was always gracious when helping others!

Gary Curtis (MP Junior High/ Middle School Counselor and Girls’ Track Coach 1978-2006)

Jerry is one of few industrial arts teachers with all his fingers! He is also very proud that none of his students ever got injured while using machines in his shop. He audio taped many of his lessons on safety to save his voice and to be sure he never left out an important step when teaching several classes in a row. Some of my favorite JH track coaching years were when we teamed up to coach boys (Jerry) and girls (me). Pam was the first junior high teacher who saw the need for computer education. With Ray Schrepfer’s support, she educated herself on computers and was willing and eager to teach both students and faculty to use them!

Becky Curtis (MP Junior High/ Middle School Band and STP Music Instructor 1978-2009)

Jerry and Pam believed in the importance of educating the “whole child”! They willingly excused students from their classes for Future Problem

Solving, music lessons, Math Counts, Knowledge Master Open, “away” sports events and Fall Festival without making the kids or sponsors feel guilty.

During my first 20 years at MPJH, band and choir shared one music room. This meant I sometimes had to give lessons in the hall, with no door to close off to the art or shop rooms. Instead of complaining about the squeaky clarinets or blaring trumpets, Jerry would ask me if his saws were too loud! I’ll never forget the time Pam helped me type my first concert program on a computer. I canceled my afternoon lessons, and she set me up on one of the few computers in the building in an office near her math room. She kept running in and out to show me little tricks, answer my questions and give an encouraging smile or remark. I doubt much math was taught that day! But she must have felt it was worth it not to have to type my programs anymore!

Tom Gingerich (Wellman Elementary/MPMS 6th Grade Teacher 1976-2006)

I taught all the Nelson girls. They were exceptional students, and it was very clear they were raised by wonderful parents! Jerry and Pam were always friendly, outgoing and upbeat. They both gave a lot to the district and the entire community. Jerry and I discovered early on that we had both graduated from UW Platteville, which gave us talking points about common classes and professors. I especially enjoyed the “Male Chauvinist PigOuts” to the Amana Colonies that Jerry rarely missed. They were unforgettable bonding opportunities, and we shared hilarious career stories!

Phil Conaway (MP Junior High/ Middle School/High School Business Education Teacher 1974-2005)

The excellence Jerry and Pam brought to the Mid-Prairie District is commendable. The 27 years they spent at MP shows the employee satisfaction they felt with administration and the confidence they had in faculty to provide a fine education for their daughters. Jerry was a good PE teacher and often taught by example. One of his best lessons was unplanned and came at a high cost. Jerry arrived a little late to an afterschool pickle ball game with friends and didn’t have time to warm up properly. As a result, he severely pulled a hamstring that caused him extreme pain and required a lengthy period of rehab. He shared this with his PE classes – what a great lesson for students who are reluctant to warm up properly! On a personal note, I’ve enjoyed Jerry’s competitive nature. He and I competed in 1 on 1 basketball games at the “Y”. Being less than 5’10”, he has an awesome baby hook shot that would be the envy of 7’ tall players! Even ping pong games were intense – they were hard fought, and I felt good if I could win 1 out of 5. Jerry and I seem to have a similar philosophy: “If you have something that is important to you, don’t settle for mediocrity when excellence is still an option.” But Jerry can, admirably, also “turn off” his competitive nature and just enjoy the fun of teaching and playing games with his grandchildren or non-athletic friends!

Craig Shellady (MP Junior High/ Middle School/High School Art Teacher 1973-2005)

Jerry was a wonderful colleague! We had a unique relationship being “neighbors” down in the arts wing of the junior high. I always admired his quiet, gentle discipline, his commitment to safety and the way he taught his students to spend time organizing and planning out their projects before beginning. Jerry modeled respect for all, which resulted in colleagues and students respecting him in return. He willingly shared some of his tools with me from time to time, and I shared some of my art supplies with him. We worked together on several projects over the years, the most meaningful of which was the stained glass hawk that still hangs in the JH/MS cafeteria. I designed the glass picture, and Jerry designed the beautiful lighted wood frame in memory of Ruth Hitchings -- beloved MPJH math teacher who died of liver cancer in the middle of a school year. A few of our most devoted 9th grade students helped us complete it as a way of working through their grief while creating a lasting memorial for their teacher. Sadly, another dear colleague, Richard “Tony” Hancock, died suddenly a few years later. Since he and Ruth shared the same initials, R.H, those of us from that era think of the hawk memorial as a tribute to both of them. On a personal note, Jerry made cute little step stools for our first three grandchildren that they still have 20+ years later!