Darla S. Nelson, age 81, a resident of Manitowoc, entered eternal life on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at St. Mary's Nursing Home at Felician Village in Manitowoc.

Darla was born on September 21, 1941 in Roanoke, VA to the late Claude and Freda (Hammed) Maloney.  She graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1960.  Darla was a dedicated homemaker and a loving wife, mother and grandmother.  On Saturday, July 15, 1961, Darla married the love of her life, Russell R. Nelson at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Manitowoc.  They enjoyed a wonderful marriage of 58 years until he preceded her in death on January 29, 2020. She enjoyed being outdoors, flowers and plants, watching birds, crocheting, crossword puzzles, and playing cards and cribbage.  Darla was a kind and giving person that would always share her strength with those in their time of need.

Survivors include Darla's two children, Deb (John) Kaufmann and Mike (Rebecca) Nelson; seven grandchildren, Chad, Melissa, Casey (Chloe), Rubie, Anna, Sharon, and Ian; eight great grandchildren; two brothers, Gene Maloney and Larry (Mary) Maloney; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law to include: Romy Braun, Gary Stryhn, Randy (Karen) Nelson, Rick (Linda) Nelson, Corie (Kris) LaRocque, and Linda Nelson; also nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  Darla was preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Freda Maloney; husband, Russell; son, Scott Nelson; grandson, Alex Nelson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Earl and Lydia Nelson; brother-in-law, Robert Nelson; and three sisters-in-law, Jill Maloney, Darlene Braun, and Sharon Stryhn.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 5, 2022 at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home with Pastor Jeremy Vance officiating.  Following the service, a luncheon for family and friends will be held at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center located on the south property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home.  Cremation took place at Harrigan Parkside Crematory and Chapel with burial of Darla's cremated remains at Knollwood Memorial Gardens.  The family will greet relatives and friends at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home on Monday, December 5, 2022 from 10 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 11 a.m.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com

Darla's family would like to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to all of the staff of Whitetail Estates for the love and care they provided to Darla, and for giving her a place that felt like home after Russell passed away.  Also, thanks to the staff of River's Bend and St. Mary's nursing homes for the care they provided.

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11 ^th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc assisted the family with funeral arrangements.