Dasha D. Nelson

Dasha D. Nelson, loving wife, mother, sister, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017.

She was born on Feb. 13, 1954 in Brno, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic) to the late Dr. Alice M. Janik and the late Ing. Milos Hozmann. She came to the United States at the age of 14 after the Soviet Union occupied Czechoslovakia in 1968. She arrived here with her mother, step-father, and eight-month-old half-brother, speaking only five words of English. She became a U.S. citizen on May 1, 1974.

On May 24, 1975, she married John A. Nelson in Elkhart. He survives along with 2 sons, Todd Nelson of Cassopolis, Mich, and Ross (Julia) Nelson of Indianapolis; 2 grandchildren, whom she called Ryan Sunshine and Sweet Alice Nelson; Dr. Borek Janik, a brother, Peter (Wendy) Janik of Morrison, CO; 2 nephews, Marek and Niko, “sister” Daniela and cousin Barbora both of whom live in the Czech Republic. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Dasha earned her Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and was a homemaker. She also worked in the legal department at Skyline Corp. from 1975 to 1991. Dasha loved being a mother and grandmother and baking cakes. She was a volunteer for the Cassopolis School System. She loved and lived for her family. She enjoyed reading, baking, crocheting, crafting, and gardening.

The family will receive friends from 3-6 pm Monday, Aug. 7th where a celebration of life service will begin at 6 pm.