Verlee JoAnn (Barnhart) Nelson

Verlee JoAnn Nelson, 90, of Muscatine, passed away on Monday, July 13, 2026, at Lutheran Living in Muscatine.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Snyder & Hollenbaugh Home for Funeral & Cremation Services of Muscatine.  Funeral services will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com

Verlee JoAnn Barnhart was born on June 27, 1936 in Muscatine County, Iowa, the daughter of Walter Aaron and Gertrude Jessie (Gertenbach) Barnhart.  She was a graduate of Muscatine High School and then attended Nurse’s Training in Freeport, Illinois.  On February 28, 1987, JoAnn was united in marriage to Richard Edmund Nelson in Moline, Illinois.  JoAnn had worked many years as a CNA at Muscatine General as one of her passions was always helping others.  She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and loved playing BINGO, riding in RAGBRAI and babysitting her nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. 

JoAnn will be deeply missed by her sister, Velma Jean Theobald of Muscatine; nieces and nephews, Ron (Tracy) Castle of Muscatine, Carolyn (John) BeVier of Muscatine, Marilyn (Tim) Shaw of Muscatine, Rick (Ann) Castle of Moscow, Randy (Debbi) Castle of Muscatine, Eugene (Pat) Castle of Muscatine, Gary (Rhonda) Theobald of Muscatine, Teresa (Mike) Todd of Washington, Steve Rahlf of Muscatine and Cliff Barnhart of Bellevue; niece-in-law, Jane Theobald and many great and great-great nieces and nephews. 

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sisters, Phyllis Rahlf, Gladys Castle and Marilyn Barnhart; brothers, Wayne, Weldon and Forrest Barnhart; niece, Michelle Barnhart and nephews, Wayne Rahlf and Craig Theobald.

The family would like to thank Lutheran Living and St. Croix Hospice for all of the care given to JoAnn over the years. 

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