Betty Marie Nelson

     Betty Marie Nelson, 88, of Mishawaka, Indiana, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2025. Born in Mishawaka to Olive and Arthur Duchatelet, Betty graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1955. After graduation, she attended the College of Commerce in South Bend and used her education to begin a career at the Credit Bureau of Mishawaka before marrying the love of her life, Darwin Nelson, on September 5, 1959.

     After the birth of their first daughter, they settled into their first and only home on Cottage Avenue along the St. Joseph River, where they spent the next sixty-six years surrounded by nature’s beauty and the warmth of family.

     Betty was a devoted mother to Pamm Nelson-Crawford (sp: Jeff), Jean Keppler (sp: Jon), Andrea Biggs (sp: Patrick), Brian Nelson (sp: Andrea), and Marsha Bella (sp: Jeff). She was blessed with sixteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren and lovingly embraced four step-grandchildren and eight step-great-grandchildren. Her nurturing spirit and unconditional love made her the heart of her family.

     A woman of deep faith, Betty was an active member of both First Church of God and St. Mark Missionary Church in Mishawaka. She dedicated many years to volunteering at the “Care Center” through First Church of God, helping provide food and clothing to those in need.

     Betty’s passions were as vibrant as her spirit. As a young girl, she raised a 4-H competition cow, sparking a lifelong affection for cows reflected in her extensive memorabilia collection. She also had a deep love for baseball—having played as an infielder for the South Bend Junior Blue Sox, the amateur affiliate of the South Bend Blue Sox from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Her original baseball skirt uniform remains a treasured family keepsake.

     Betty later became a devoted fan of the Chicago Cubs, a love she passed on to her entire family. When she wasn’t watching baseball, she enjoyed traveling and was a master at planning and packing for family road trips.

     Betty will be remembered for her gentle strength, unwavering kindness, and the joy she found in faith, family, and the natural world. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

     A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025 from 4:00PM – 7:00 PM, In Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W 8th St. Mishawaka. The funeral service will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 10:00 AM, with a visitation one hour prior, in St. Mark Missionary Church, 55240 Bittersweet Rd, Mishawaka. Burial to follow in Ferrisville Cemetey.

     In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to, St. Mark Missionary Church of Mishawaka, or to Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth (SAFY)

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