Elizabeth "Peggy" Nelson

Elizabeth “Peggy” Nelson died Oct. 1 in Topeka, KS. Peggy, daughter of Stanley Richmond Scott and Estella Albin Scott, was born as Elizabeth Anne Scott on March 27, 1929, in Holton, Kansas. When she was seven, she came home from visiting her aunt and announced she was Peggy, and she has been Peggy ever since. The family moved to Newton, and then to Topeka where Peggy grew up, graduating from Topeka High School in 1947.  As a high school student, she also took classes at a local business school and worked for the Topeka Daily Capital.

While in college at the University of Kansas, Peggy lived in Miller Scholarship Hall and was elected to Phi Sigma Alpha (an honorary political science fraternity) and Phi Beta Kappa (an honorary scholastic fraternity.) In college, Peggy was also active in the Wesley Foundation, where she met Paul Nelson. Peggy graduated from KU in 1951 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and then spent two years working in Heidelberg, Germany as a civilian employee with the Department of the Army.

In 1954, Peggy married Paul Nelson who was finishing up medical school. Pauls’ schooling took them to Kansas City and Denver before they happily settled in Concordia, Kansas. Peggy became an active volunteer. She served as a Room Mother when her children were young. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Concordia and considered the Crusader Class like family. She spoke fondly of the “Last Supper” meals that she prepared for many years for her church’s Youth Group. She taught Sunday School, Bible School, and served on several church committees over the years. Peggy delivered Meals on Wheels for many years as well. She particularly enjoyed the laughter and creativity involved in her years sponsoring a group of Camp Fire Girls.

Peggy was happiest stretching her mind and creativity. She drew up the plans for the family’s home, and she enjoyed crafts, knitting, sewing, and the like. She kept her house full of books. The dictionary sat right by the kitchen table, and she often directed her children to “look it up,” whenever a fact came into dispute. Peggy loved her garden and worked hard to keep it looking beautiful.

Peggy also loved providing home and hearth for her husband and children, and many of Dr. Paul’s accomplishments were only achieved because of Peggy’s unwavering, behind-the-scenes support. Her “Brown Motel” at the top of the hill housed a great many guests over the years, and people still fondly remember the chili suppers, New Years’ parties, and bowls of homemade ice cream. Peggy loved gathering family and friends together, whether it was for meals or holidays or vacations.

Peggy was preceded in death by her sister Jeanne Scott and brother Stanley Scott. Peggy’s husband, Paul, passed away in July, 2021, after almost 67 years of marriage.

Peggy is survived by her three children, Paul C. Nelson, Newton; Dr. Nancy Taoka, Denver, CO, and Carol Rudzinski (Mike), Lexington, KY; three grandchildren: David Zorob (Esther), Mesquite, TX.; Robert Zorob, Peoria, IL.; and Kristien Zorob, Cookeville, TN.; and one great-grandchild, Eden Zorob, Mesquite, TX. She is also survived by her sister, Phyllis Allen, Topeka, and several dearly loved nieces and nephews, including Patt Allen, Topeka, who offered great assistance once Paul and Peggy moved to Brewster Place in Topeka in December, 2020.

Visitation will be Friday, Oct. 8, from 1-8 pm, with the family receiving friends from 6-8pm at Nutter’s Mortuary, Concordia, KS.  

Funeral services will be Saturday, October 9 at 10 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Concordia, KS with Rev. Kibum Kim officiating.  Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, Scandia, KS.

Memorials can be made to:

First United Methodist Church

740 W 11th St.

Concordia, KS 66901

or

The Scholarship Hall System at KU, with a note “In memory of Peggy Scott Nelson”

 www.kuendowment.org  or mail to

Gift Processing Department
KU Endowment
PO Box 928
Lawrence, KS 66044-0928

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