Lois E. Nelson

Lois Nelson

beloved mother, sister and friend died peacefully on January 9th, 2025 at the age of 87. Born in Chicago, IL to Rev. John E. and Elizabeth (Almen) Genn, she was doted on by her Swedish aunts and grew up as a strong-willed minister’s daughter.

After graduating from high school in Moline, she earned a degree in history at Illinois Wesleyan University, followed by a master’s degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Boston, both on full scholarships. She spent the first year of her career at the Ford Foundation in New York City before moving to Oxford with her husband in 1961. She taught school, attended the Oxford United Methodist Church and had three children. A talented seamstress, she made beautiful clothes for herself and her daughters, including prom and a wedding dress. Later, she turned her hand to quilting, stitching gifts for her growing family. Each summer she tended an extensive garden, swam, cycled, and hiked. Her passion for environmental stewardship led her to return to school and earn a second master’s from the Institute of Environmental Studies at Miami University. She proudly worked at Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Ohio before becoming the editor for the Ohio Journal of Science and the Cliometrics Society based at Miami University.

In 1989 she bought her dream home in Oxford Township and began her career as technical editor for various environmental contractors, working at DOE Cold War legacy sites beginning with the Fernald restoration Superfund project in Ross, Ohio.  Her success led to extended work projects in Idaho Falls, Idaho; Oak Ridge, Tennessee; and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Massachusetts. She was incredibly proud of and close to her children and took advantage of their international careers to visit Guatemala, Venezuela, and South Africa, but also to have adventures of her own in Europe and the British Isles, Turkey, and China.

In her retirement she settled back into life at her farmhouse north of Oxford and continued to enjoy gardening and reading. For years she managed the monitoring program at Three Valley Conservation Trust and acted as Board President for Oxford Citizens for Peace & Justice. She finally became a grandmother to Benjamin in 2010 and welcomed Lucas in 2013, spending every moment with them that she could. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, and her beloved daughter Diane. She will be forever missed by daughter Erika, son Brian (Natalia), and her grandsons.

A short funeral will be held at Preble Memory Gardens Cemetery, Green Burial Section, in West Alexandra, OH at 2pm on Monday, January 13. In lieu of gifts or flowers, please consider making a contribution in her honor to the Planned Parenthood affiliate of your choice or the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.