Nelma M Hysell's Obituary
Nelma Mae (Thomas) Hysell, daughter of Walter and Audrey (Moore) Thomas, was born March 16, 1934 in Corydon, Iowa, in the same house her mother was born in. Nelma passed away in her home on June 1, 2023.
Nelma married the love of her life, Robert Hysell Sr., on January 6, 1952. Five children were born to this union: Robert Jr., Thomas, Ronald, Nancy, and Mary.
In their early years, Nelma and Bob owned and operated the Bus Depot Café in Cedar Rapids. Nelma also spent several years working on the farm and raising her children. After the kids were all in school, Nelma went to work for Head Start. She worked there for several years and touched the lives of many children and their families. After retiring, Nelma enjoyed spending more time with her grandkids and great-grandkids.
Nelma was a wonderful mother and grandmother. As a mother, she was so loving, and the kids could always count on a hug, kiss, and "I love you". Some of the grandkids' fondest memories are of Granny baking with them, playing games, reading books, telling stories, and jumping in puddles on rainy days. She was always there for birthday parties and ball games. Every grandkid received a scrapbook that Nelma had made as a graduation present, carefully documenting their lives up to that point. Everyone remembers the cookie jar: cookies were always available for the price of a hug or five cents, and everyone always paid with a hug. And everyone knew that when you left Granny's house, she was going to be looking out the front door waving goodbye.
Nelma was a member of the United Methodist Church and the UMW. She was also a member of the Allerton Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, bowling, cooking, baking, gardening, and mowing.
Nelma is survived by her two sons, Tom (Jan) Hysell and Ron(Lisa) Hysell, her two daughters, Nancy Ondrashek, and Mary (Mike) Watsabaugh; daughter-in-law Joyce Hysell; her grandchildren, Megan (Rusty), Rusty (Tiffany), Chris (Ashley), Michael (Syerra), David, Adam(Ashley), Lindsay, Josh (Holly), Dusty (Jessica), Tommy (Sarah), Dalton, Ashlee (TJ), Shanay, Amanda, Angie, Allison, Hayden, Kaylee; her great grandchildren, Mozen, Sienna, Mahala, Lexi, Dylan, Dalaynie, Balin, Audrey, Collin, Paradise, Remi, Berreck, Andie, Logan, Sofi, Evie, Sami, Joey, Ty, Ella, Jerica, Ava, Reece, Rayna, Elanore, Corrine, Blaise, Willow, Sunshine, Eliza, Parker, Milo, Renegade, Kolton, and Kynlee, her sister, Judy, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband Robert, Sr., son Robert Jr., father Walter, mother Audrey, father-in-law Albert, mother-in-law Dora, son-in-law Dennis, and grandsons Travis, Zachary, and Brian, great-grandson Wren, brothers Leland, Lloyd, and Larry, and other loved ones.
Memorials have been established to the family to be determined at a later date and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Nelma Hysell Family, 303 East Jefferson Street, PO BOX 294, Corydon, IA 50060. Condolences may be shared online or on our funeral home Facebook page.
Services will be live streamed at https://my.gather.app/remember/nelma-hysell
What’s your fondest memory of Nelma?
What’s a lesson you learned from Nelma?
Share a story where Nelma's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Nelma you’ll never forget.
How did Nelma make you smile?