Jeri Lea Nelson Finkeldei, 69, of Eureka Springs, Ark., died peacefully on April 27, 2022, in Little Rock Ark., after a brief illness.
Jeri was born on June 19, 1952, to Bertha and Frank Gorden, and grew up in Oklahoma. She raised her family in Dodge City, Kan., a place that was dear to her heart.
After retirement, she relocated to Beaver Lake in Northwest Arkansas near Eureka Springs where she enjoyed life fully with her husband, Darrell. She enjoyed the lake, boating, and spending time with her family and friends. She loved cooking, art, and music. She will be remembered for her smile, her love of people, her storytelling, and her sense of humor.
Jeri is survived by her husband, Darrell Finkeldei of Eureka Springs, Ark., as well as her children and stepchildren: Kisty and John Reeves, Amanda Crowe, Jennifer and Bryan Williams, Matt and Kimberly Finkeldei, Joel and Kathleen Finkeldei, Steve Goodheart and family, Linda Letzig and family, Patrick Nelson and family, and Michael Nelson and family.
Grandchildren Andrew Isenbart, Jared Isenbart, Kimberlea Spencer, Isaac Spencer, Kaleb Spencer, Jaysa Williams, Evelyn Finkeldei, Nolan Finkeldei and Micah Finkeldei. Great-grandchildren Aiden Isenbart, Bryan Isenbart, Raylen Isenbart, Boyd Isenbart, Emery Isenbart, and Jayden Isenbart. Siblings Linda Ward, Lori Kraft, Jim Henson, and Angela Henson, and special niece, Wendy Keith. She is preceded in death by her husband Gary Nelson, sister Connie Schnabel, and her parents.
A Celebration of Life was held April 30 and May 1 at Darrell and Jeri’s home in Eureka Springs. Memorial donations
may be sent to St. Jude Children’s, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at nelsonfuneral.com.