Darlene Jean Nelson

Darlene Jean Christiansen Nelson was born July 10, in Upland, Nebraska. She was the fourth child in a family of five children, her parents, Alvin and Goldie Christiansen were farmers. Darlene loved her siblings very much. Her brothers Vernon and Duane and her sister Ardyce and Shirley were close. She and her sister, Ardyce, used to love babysitting the cats.

She outlived all of her siblings and friends which was very sad to her.

Darlene married Donald Nelson, on October 24,1949. Three children were born to the marriage, Diane in 1950, Danny in 1953 and Denise in 1959. They moved to Laramie ,Wyoming where they owned and operated the Rainbow grocery store. In 1960 they moved to Sheridan, Wyoming where Don became a Cudahy meat salesman.

In 1971 they migrated to Fort Collins, Colorado where Darlene worked for Colorado State University, she retired in 1994. She loved working at CSU. She worked in the Animal Science dept. during the time Thomas Sutherland was held captive in Lebonan. She was so excited when he was released and the city had a parade.

Darlene and Don divorced in 1974.

Diane married and had two children, Shelley Emerson and Brent Steigelman. They moved to Fort Collins in 1976. Darlene loved traveling with Diane, Shelley and Brent. Sometimes, her sister, Ardyce would join them on their excursions,

Darlene and Diane traveled to Senatobia, Mississippi and Tyler, Texas to watch Shelley at National basketball tournaments when Shelley was in College. Diane and Darlene also travelled to Fort Knox, Kentucky when Brent graduated from Basic training in the Army.

Danny was married but never had children and sadly died from a heart attack at 45.

Denise married Crawford Morgan and had two children, Callie Morgan in 1994 and Cameron Morgan in 1997. Darlene retired from CSU in 1994 and took care of Callie for her first year. She took care of Cameron for his first 6 months. Darlene loved picking the kids up from school and always had a snack for them..

Darlene loved being a grandmother and spending time with her grand kids. She was very proud of her grand children and their accomplishments. She loved that they were traveling and seeing the world.

She enjoyed watching her grandchildren when they played their sports. Shelley in basketball. Brent in soccer and baseball, Callie in soccer and Cameron playing competitive baseball.

Darlene always was a sports fan. She attended many CSU football games and Bronco games with her family. In her retirement Darlene became a sports fanatic. She loved her Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Rockies and the CSU Rams. She was really excited for the Broncos to go to the Super Bowl this year. She watched sports all day, everyday if they was something on tv.

Darlene is survived by her daughters Diane Martell, and Denise Morgan and son in law Crawford Morgan; her grandchildren Shelley Emerson, Brent Steigelman, Callie Morgan and Cameron Morgan; her great granddaughters Kabri Vinke and Rashae Davis; and her two great great grandsons Jonah and Judah Davis.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent to Animal Friends Alliance.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Friday, January 23, 2026 at Bohlender Funeral Chapel.