Paulette M. Nelson, 96, of La Porte, Ind. passed away Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020.
Born in South Bend, Ind. on Feb. 3,1924 to John and Sophia (Harrington) Peyton. She spent her younger years growing up in Valley City, N.D., where she graduated valedictorian from St. Catherine’s High School and was the captain of her basketball team. Paulette was a homemaker and worked for many years at Raco Inc. in South Bend.
On July 29, 1944, in Little Rock, Ark., Paulette married Robert R. Nelson who preceded her in death on Jan. 24, 2002.
Paulette is survived by her children, Marjorie Ann (Barry Railton) Nelson, Kevin (Trish) Nelson, Robert (Mary) Nelson Jr. all of La Porte, and Mary Jane (John) Liming of Liberty: daughter-in-law, Ida Ludwig of La Porte; grandchildren, Shannon, Rachel, Jason, Jenn, Josie, Conner, Bailey, Trisha, Troy, Rachel, Nicole and Anna who was not her favorite but she was up there; great-grandchildren, Lorren, Emily, Lola, Gentry, Rylan, Asher, Corbin, Mila; and a great great-grandson, Xander; and siblings, John Peyton and Peggy Rebello.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert; a daughter, Sally Nelson; a son, James B. Nelson, and siblings, Sonny, Mary, Patricia and Leo.
Visitation will be 9 to 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18 at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, 1117 Indiana Ave., La Porte, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, La Porte. Burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Leo J. Peyton, Army Sgt. WWII, brother of Sonny, Paulette, Mary, Patricia, John and Peggy, to St. Catherine Cemetery Assoc., 540 3rd. Avenue NE, Valley City, ND 58072.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP as well as at www.esslingfuneralhome.com.