Nellie Eblen — Creston

Nellie Eblen, 72, of Creston, died Tuesday, December 09, 2014 at the Greater Regional Hospice Home in Creston. Celebration of Life services will be 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, 2014 at the Powers Funeral Home junction of Highways 34 and 25 in Creston. Mary O'Riley will officiate. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery, south of Creston. Open visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Thursday, with family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are to the Hospice Home, the Cromwell Church or the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be given at www.powersfh.com.

Nellie Marie (Miller) Eblen, daughter of Gladys Marie (Campbell) Miller and Emmett Henry Miller, was born Jan. 4, 1942 on a farm in rural Creston, Iowa. She graduated from Creston High School in 1960.

On Dec. 3, 1960, Nellie married Arnold Dean Eblen at the Jerusalem Methodist Church, north of Creston. They lived and farmed in the Creston area all of their married life. They settled on their current farm location in 1975. Nellie was a homemaker and also worked alongside Arnold operating the family farm. Together they raised four children, and later, three more grandchildren. Nellie was a member of the Cromwell United Church of Christ, the His Helpers Sunday School Class, and the Happy Hour Card Club. She served as leader for the Douglas Boosters 4-H Club, and she and Arnold used to square dance regularly at Richland School.

Survivors include her husband, Arnold Eblen of Creston; two sons, Todd (wife Torey) Eblen of Flower Mound, Texas and Mark (wife Peg) Eblen of Creston; a daughter, Janelle (husband Travis) Kerkove of Swisher, Iowa; eleven grandchildren, Austin, Ashley, and Morgan Eblen, Mackenzie and Whitney Eblen, Meghin (husband Cody) Pearson, Luke and Levi Eblen; Brianna, Madison and Tanner Kerkove; and one great-granddaughter, Alayna Pearson.

Nellie was preceded in death by her parents, and her step-father, Forest Huss; a son, Greg Eblen in 2000; two brothers, Wayne and Gary Miller; their spouses Ruth and Kathy; her parents-in-law, Roland and Thelma Eblen; and brother-in-law, Jerry Eblen.