Nellie Joan Bair

Nellie Joan Bair: Nellie passed away Monday evening at Mahaska Hospital in Oskaloosa with her family at her bedside. She was 66 years, 6 months and 14 days of age. Her family includes her husband, Paul Bair of Oskaloosa; a son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Tami Bair of New Sharon; two daughters and a son-in-law, Julie McCormick of Fort Wayne, IN and Angie and Joel Rossi, also of Fort Wayne, IN; four grandchildren: Branden and Cole Bair and Melana and Zachary Rossi; and a brother and sister-in-law, Gene & Jeanne Strandberg of Golden, CO. Nellie Joan Bair, daughter of Una TeBockhorst was born April 19, 1942 in Washington, Iowa. She was a 1960 graduate of Washington High School. As a young woman, she worked at the Sears Store in Washington. On June 19, 1960, Nellie and Paul Bair were united in marriage, after which, they moved to Oskaloosa where they made their home. Nellie was hired by the Sears Store in Oskaloosa and she worked as a clerk and a typist there for 25 years. Later she worked at Panel Components (now Interpower Corporation), first as a customer service representative, where she was the contact for the office in England. She was promoted to Sr. Customer Service Representative and later, Credit Specialist. She worked at Interpower Corp. for 15 years, retiring in March of this year. Nellie was a Mahaska Leads participant for two years, and served as president for the Oskaloosa Diplomats for a year. She was a member of the Ottumwa Breast Cancer Support Group and co-founder of the Oskaloosa Breast Cancer Support Group. She served on the Oskaloosa American Cancer Society Relay for Life Committee for nine years and also volunteered with the American Cancer Society Reach for Recovery Program. Watching her grandchildren participate in sporting events was one of her joys as well as watching the Iowa Hawkeyes. She also enjoyed working in her home, yard and flower garden and often had a new project planned for her and Paul. Nellie cherished time with her children and grandchildren, especially during the holidays; and her dog, Chloe, was also a delight in her life. Besides her mother, she was preceded in death by an infant son, Mark Steven Bair and an aunt, Retha Lewis. PDF Printable Version

Nellie Joan Bair

April 19, 1942 - November 3, 2008