Obituary of Jansje Johanna Jacoba Kuperus Nelson

Jansje Johanna Jacoba Kuperus Nelson, 76, a resident of St. Stephen, SC went home to be with the Lord on the morning of Oct. 25th, 2018, at Roper Hospice Cottage, Mount Pleasant, SC.

Born on October 8th, 1942 in Haarlemmermeer, The Netherlands. Jansje was the daughter of the late Hjerke and Jansje Kuperus. She was raised in Amsterdam and came to the United States in 1963 after marrying U.S. Air Force TSGT Russell Nelson. In 1966 she became a naturalized U.S. citizen. Jansje was a homemaker who lived for her family. She was a wonderful cook and talented seamstress. She loved the outdoors, her horse and dogs, and loved the ocean. She had a beautiful smile and loved to laugh. No matter where she went, she never met a stranger--person or animal.

Jansje was affectionately known as Kat, Kathy, Jopie, Momma, and Oma. Jansje will best be remembered as a loving and supportive wife, mother, and oma (Dutch for grandmother). Although she is deeply missed, the family takes comfort in knowing that she has been reunited in heaven with her father who was killed during World War II when she just was a baby.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Gene Saylors and his staff at CHOA whose meticulous care blessed them with an extra year with her. They would like to also thank Roper Home Health Care staff and Roper Hospice staff for the extraordinary care and compassion they provided her, especially at the end of her earthly life. The family thanks Rev. Jay Glasgow for ministering to and comforting her during the last week of her life. Last but not least, the family would like to thank friends and neighbors for their outpouring of support during this difficult time.

Jansje is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Russell Nelson; her daughters:  Soraiya Wilkins of St. Stephen, SC; Shireen Hotchkiss and her husband Gerald Hotchkiss of Moncks Corner, SC; her beloved grandchildren: Rosaleen Casiano, William Wilkins, and David Wilkins; and sister Alie Kuperus.

Friends and family are respectfully invited to attend the celebration of her life which will be held at Simplicity Lowcountry Funeral Services chapel, 281 Treeland Drive, Ladson on Wednesday, November 21st at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored if you would send donations in Jansje’s memory to Roper Hospice Cottage at 676 Wando Park Blvd in Mt. Pleasant, SC