Inez R. Nelson, 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Elmcroft of State College surrounded by her family. Inez was born on October 2, 1932 in Luverne, Minnesota to Alfred and Mabel Shelby. She enjoyed a wonderful childhood with her two sisters growing up on a dairy farm. She had fond memories as a young girl of riding with her dad on the milk truck and lugging milk bottles up to customers' porches. Inez met her husband of 61 years, Richard who survives, while attending St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. She is also survived by her two sisters Gail Palmer of Towson, Md., and Shirley (John) Thorpe of Perris, California; son David (Kathryn) of State College, daughter Holly (Lee) Stanek of Hastings PA, and son Thomas of Mt. Bethel PA; five grandchildren, Thomas (Erin), Christopher and Shelby (fiance' Eric Steinour) Nelson and Bryon (Makaela) and Abby (fianc Tyler Huber) Stanek; and three great granddaughters, Ava Nelson, Ari Huber and Laine Stanek. She was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Hope Anwyll (Tom).
After short stints in Houston, Texas, East Lansing, Michigan and College Park, Maryland, Inez and Richard moved to State College in 1964 where Richard established the Biomechanics Lab at Penn State. Inez worked as an elementary school teacher, and at several fashion stores as a saleswoman and buyer. Where she really shined was in her role as a stay-at-home mom. To us she was the perfect mother; loving, thoughtful and involved in our lives. Her life lessons were sometimes subtle, often requiring no words at all. She instilled a sense of morality and compassion in us by the way she treated others and through her selfless devotion and love of our family. She was truly the most unselfish person we have ever known and we will miss her very much.
Mom and Dad enjoyed traveling and the family will always treasure their memories from two, six month sabbatical adventures living in Switzerland in 1971 and Japan in 1978. Back in the day, she really enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and stayed active playing golf, painting, and playing bridge. Her absolute favorite activity, however, was tennis and it was not unusual for her to play several times a day. She was also a real animal lover and enjoyed walking a variety of family dogs over the years around the Park Lane section of Park Forest Village, with miniature sheltie Emily being her favorite. Both Mom and Dad have struggled with dementia late in life and it unfortunately made it impossible for them to maintain their many valued long-time friendships.
They moved into Elmcroft together in December of 2013 and the family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff, care-givers and other residents at Elmcroft for the extraordinary care, love and support they provided. Without question becoming part of the Elmcroft family dramatically improved their quality of life during their final time together. The hospice support provided by AseraCare was also extremely helpful and compassionate and very much appreciated by the family. Services will be private and a celebration of Inez's life will be held at the family farm at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made to State College Area Meals on Wheels (www.scmow.org), a program from which she benefited greatly. Arrangements are being handled by Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Services, State College.

An online guestbook can be signed and condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com