Joan Nelsen

Joan Nelsen, 93, of Jerome, Idaho, died peacefully at her home on Saturday, March 13, 2026.

Born on July 27, 1932, to Elsie Neddermeir Sonnichsen and Mathias Sonnichsen, German and Danish immigrants who became naturalized U.S. citizens, Joan faced early hardship when her father passed away when she was four and her brother Sonnich was seven. The siblings grew up on a farm southwest of Jerome with their mother and attended the one-room Canyonside School, where Joan cherished her memories of those formative years.

A 1951 graduate of Jerome High School, Joan was an accomplished student and musician. She served as president of her sophomore and senior classes, was named Salutatorian, played trumpet in the band and regional honor band, and attended the National High School Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan, for two summers. She was selected to attend Girls State, where she served as official bugler. She began her college studies at the University of Utah, performing as trumpet soloist with the concert band and marching band, before transferring to Idaho State College after becoming engaged to Jack Nelsen. The couple married in 1953 and settled on a farm northeast of Jerome, sharing 66 years of marriage until Jack’s passing in 2020.

Joan was deeply involved in her community and family life. A longtime member of P.E.O. Chapter E of Jerome, she returned to school at age 58 and graduated from the College of Southern Idaho, later serving as a substitute teacher in the Jerome School District for many years. She studied piano for 14 years and voice as well, and at her son Jon’s encouragement, she took up the trumpet again after 35 years, performing in a German band until age 80 and in the CSI Pep Band alongside her sons. An avid skier, she and Jack taught at Soldier Mountain for many years, creating lasting memories with their four children. Joan was a talented seamstress and gardener, particularly proud of her rose garden, and she devotedly cared for her husband in his later years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Sonnich, her husband Jack, an infant son, and her ten-year-old daughter Julia, who passed from leukemia. Joan is survived by her children Jack (Emily) Nelsen, Jon (Karen) Nelsen, and Janice (Ken) Lehman; her sister-in-law Norma (Mike) Stone and brother-in-law Dr. Theron (Darlene) Nelsen; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.