SKANDIA, MI - Alice Jean (Moxon) Nelson of Skandia, (formerly of Ishpeming) walked into the welcoming arms of her Savior in the early morning hours of Monday, October 12, 2020, at UP Health System - Marquette Michigan. Alice was born May 12, 1928 to Clair and Esther (Hammerlind) Moxon in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the second youngest of seven children. She spent her childhood in the Grand Rapids area and graduated from Central High School in 1946. From a young age, Alice developed a love for music and for God’s creation. She created impressive insect collections (assisted by her mother) and learned to play the cello; the love of these interests led her to pursue a teaching degree in Biology along with a minor in Music at the University of Michigan, graduating in 1951. While at U of M she was very active in Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, where she made many lifelong friends. One of the highlights of her years there were the Saturday football games, and she remained a Michigan Football fan her entire life. After graduating from U of M, Alice obtained a teaching position in Hart, Michigan, where she truly enjoyed sharing her love and knowledge of the natural world with her students. She continued sharing that knowledge during her summer breaks as a Naturalist at Phil DeGraaf’s Lodge in Paradise, Michigan where she would take the guests on walks and teach them about all the local ecosystems, as well as the plants and animals that were part of them. She also used her writing skills to create a newsletter each week that was published for the guests; she shared many fun stories with her family of her years there. During this time, while at a retreat at Portage Lake Covenant Bible Camp, she met the love of her life. As she sat on a bench whistling to songbirds (one of her many talents!) Bob noticed her and walked over to see what she was doing. They had their first date a month later, and (as Alice tells it) right after she started planning her wedding; she felt the Lord telling her that he was the one. She and Bob were engaged 3 months later, and were married the following year on June 20, 1958. That summer they moved to Chicago in order for Bob to finish seminary at North Park College, and Alice obtained a teaching position at North Park Academy, a private school on campus. After Bob graduated seminary, the couple served churches in Port Allegany, PA (‘61-’66), Tustin, MI (‘66-’70), Traverse City, MI (‘70-’77), and finally Ishpeming, MI, where they made their home on the corner of Fifth Street for 39 years. As Bob began his ministry, Alice chose to leave her teaching career and focus on raising her four children and serving the Lord alongside him, handling the many responsibilities and needs that come with shepherding a church. At the age of 60 when many people are thinking of retiring, Alice started her own landscape gardening business, naming it North Country Gardens. She designed and installed beautiful perennial gardens at many homes and businesses around Marquette County for 25 years, and finally retired at the age of 85. Alice was a woman of many talents and interests, and loved sharing them with those around her. A gifted cellist, she regularly played special music for church services, and while in Traverse City performed chamber music with a string quartet. She wrote poetry throughout her lifetime, including one just 6 months before she went home to her Lord. Alice created beautiful banners, floral arrangements, and centerpieces for the churches over the years, and worked as a floral designer at one point for a local florist. She sewed Halloween costumes and prom dresses, decorated birthday cakes, and grew amazing vegetable and flower gardens. She loved photography and left her family with many albums full of beautiful memories. Alice loved taking nature walks with family and friends, and was always ready to identify whatever plant, butterfly, insect or animal was seen. She instilled her love for her Lord’s Creation deeply in each one of her children, as well as her grandchildren. Her greatest gift to her family was a deep and abiding faith in her Lord and Savior; a faith that she lived out every day. Although we miss her deeply, we are comforted knowing she is whole and well again, and in the presence of Jesus. For the last year and a half of Alice’s life, she lived at Brookridge Heights and was lovingly cared for by the wonderful staff there. She developed a special relationship with Activities Director Kim Specker, and our family deeply appreciates Kim being family to Mom when we couldn’t be there due to Covid shutdowns. Alice is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, J. Robert (Bob) Nelson; brother, Milton Moxon of Grand Rapids, MI; four children, Paul (Liz) Nelson of Sands Township, MI, Gail (Peter) Bleidt of Lewellen, NE, Sharon Nelson-Curtice of Gwinn, MI, and Mark (Jacquie) Nelson of Ishpeming, MI; 8 grandchildren, Jesse Bleidt, Dustin Bleidt, Caitlin Curtice, Cooper Curtice, Emily Curtice, Brittany (Zach) Yates, Matthew Nelson and Michael Nelson; and one great-granddaughter, Nora Yates. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clair and Esther (Hammerlind) Moxon; brothers, Vincent Moxon and Frank Moxon; sisters, Marion Carlson, Virginia Anderson, and Patricia Martin; and nephew, Roger Moxon. A celebration of Alice's life will be held at Bethel Baptist Church in Marquette on Saturday, July 17th at 12:00 pm. Visitation for friends and family will begin at 10:00 am and continue until the service begins. A luncheon will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Bethel Baptist's Christian Education Fund, 829 Grove Street, Marquette, MI 49855. Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com As I made my way along the pathway to my home, I came to a crevice wide and deep And I knew I could not continue alone. But I was not alone Jesus Christ had made of Himself a bridge And I walked safe and secure to the other side Where I was enveloped in The Love and Presence of my Father forever -Alice Nelson, 4/2020