Nelda Fern Hamilton of Manhattan, KS passed peacefully on June 6, 2023 with her children by her side. She was born March 18, 1929 to Alvin and Clara Johnson in Manhattan where she spent a majority of her life. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 49 years, Hue (Rusty) Hamilton; son Danny Hamilton; two daughters, Nancy (Harvey) Larson and Christine Blausett; as well two sisters and two brothers.
Nelda is survived by her children Sidney Hamilton of Manhattan KS; Jennifer (Mike) Lentz of Junction City KS; Laura (Art) Knisley of Olsburg KS; Ernest “Sam” Hamilton (Joani Davy) of Alma KS; Sarah Hamilton (Brian Utton) of Manhattan KS; and Thomas Gourley (Gloria) of Neosha MO. She also leaves behind three beloved sisters: Majory Hale, Arlene Kittrel, and Bonnie Brown, and had 7 half siblings including A. Dwight Johnson.
Nelda was a grandmother of 10, great-grandmother of 27, and great-great grandmother of 10 with one more to be added in July.
Nelda was a homemaker almost all her life, following her husband in his Navy career. Her greatest joy was having family gatherings. She was an accomplished seamstress, making her daughter’s wedding dresses, and a cake decorator, making wedding cakes for all who asked. Her wedding mints were always sought after as well.
Nelda had a great love of children. She along with her husband helped over 100 children through foster parenting and she continued this into her 70s. She volunteered in her church nursery for over 10 years, was a generous supporter of world missions, and was also a supporter and believer in Royal Family Kids Camp for Manhattan foster children.
A testament by Sammie Washington:
Nelda was a woman of remarkable faith. She would be the first one to say it was her confidence in Jesus and trust in what He could do that gave her the sustaining strength, perseverance, and unshakable hope she needed in every circumstance she faced.
It was Nelda’s faith and devotion to prayer that made her a woman of small stature tenacious and determined in the face of trails of all kinds. Her complete trust in the Lord to bring her through all of life’s fires, and her continued belief for better days ahead, produced a confidence in her, a confidence gained from seeing the Lord answer her prayers throughout her life. Her unshakable faith in the Lord’s ability to do more miracles than her devotion to believe, not only for herself, but also to believe in the potential of every single person she encountered. Nelda’s heart overflowed with love. People of all ages and backgrounds were drawn to her because of her wisdom, selfless care, and deep-rooted confidence in God. To put it simply, Nelda’s faith in Jesus was the foundation of her life. It was her faith that made her the unforgettable and deeply impactful mother, woman of God, sister, grandma, and friend that she was. It was her faith that led her to her heavenly home.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 13th, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 14th, at the Manhattan First Assembly of God, 2310 Candlewood Dr., Manhattan, with Pastor J.D. Washington officiating. Interment will follow in the Valley View Memorial Park Cemetery east of Manhattan.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the Royal Family Kids Camp of Manhattan, or the Good Shepherd Hospice House. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.