Colletta LaVonn Nelson

Colletta LaVonn (Myers) Nelson, 94 of Chanute, Kansas passed away at her home on Monday, September 2, 2024. Colletta was born on July 17, 1930 to Roy and Dutch (Fowler) Myers in Iola, Kansas. After graduating high school from Elsmore in 1948, Colletta embarked on her education and nursing journey. She graduated from the Research Hospital School of Nursing in 1951, she then earned her Bachelors in Health Education from Ottawa University in 1979. She then graduated with her Masters in Community College Teaching in 1981 from Pittsburg State University, and then graduated with her Bachelors of Nursing from Pittsburg State University in 1987. Colletta worked as a nurse at many different hospitals and schools in the area. She was an instructor at Neosho County Community College from 1979 to 1995 when she retired. Colletta was very active in the community, she was a member of the American Nurse’s Association, the Kansas State Nurse’s Association, District 21, Sigma Theta Tau, the Kansas Organization for the Advancement of Associate Degree Nurses, the Research School of Nursing Alumni, the Pittsburg State University Alumni Association, the Neosho County Community College Education Association, Transportation Committee, Nursing Faculty Committee, and the President’s Advisory Committee. She was also an American Red Cross CPR instructor, a Vestry member of the Grace Episcopal Church, and volunteered at the local health fairs, both Neosho and Allen county. During her free time Colletta loved to bake, especially bread, travel, and volunteer at Cherry Street. She also loved to dress up and perform as Tweety the clown with Yak Yak. With all that Colletta had accomplished in her life many did not know but she was also a trained astronaut. Colletta is preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Dutch Myers, son, James Nelson, and grandson, Michael Grayson. Her memory will carry on with her children, Cathy Grayson, and Richard Nelson, brother, Roy Duke Myers, grandchildren, Cassie, Jonna, Amanda, and Christie, 10 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Colletta’s dedication to nursing and nursing education will carry on, following her wishes, her body was donated to the Kansas Body Willed Program to help further the education of future healthcare providers. Arrangements have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home.

Colletta LaVonn Nelson

July 17, 1930 - September 2, 2024