KAREN M. NELSON

May 8, 1943 - October 21, 2025

Karen M. Nelson, 82, of Pahrump, Nevada, passed away on October 21, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada, with both her daughters present.

She was born May 8, 1943, in Brainerd, Minnesota. After graduating from college, she worked as a Surgical Technician in Des Moines, Iowa. In 1976, she moved to California and began a career in law enforcement. She later transferred to Nevada, serving as a Deputy Sheriff with the Nye County Sheriff's Office in Tonopah and Pahrump before retiring. She also coached children's soccer with AYSO in Pahrump for many years which she loved.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis Nelson; father, Frederick Muller; mother, Virginia Gerdes; stepfather, Marvin Gerdes; son, Jason Nelson; and grandchildren Ryan and Joshua Modgling.

She is survived by her children Kelli Nelson-Benoit (Bill Benoit), Julie Montano (Seferino Montano), Kellilynn Stuart (Anthony Stuart) and Courtney Nelson; grandchildren Jarid Lydon, Michael Lydon, Christopher Modgling, Kenneth Schaffer, Austin Nelson, Daimon Nelson, and Kennedy Tobias; great-grandchildren Marisa, Sarah, and David Stuart; and bonus grandchildren Jeremy Mendel and Justin Button.