Karin Ruth (Nelson) Washington, 61, of Emerson, NE passed away peacefully on Monday, February 6, 2012 at Heritage of Emerson Care Center in Emerson, NE from complications caused by multiple sclerosis (MS).

Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, February 10, 2012 at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Emerson, NE with Pastor Gretchen Ritola officiating. Burial will be in Omaha Valley Cemetery, rural Homer, NE. Lunch to follow in Homer, NE. Visitation with the family present will begin at 5:00 P.M., with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at the Mohr Funeral Home in South Sioux City, NE. Online condolences may be posted at www.mohrfuneralhome.com.

Karin was born on May 14, 1950 in Sioux City, IA. She was the oldest daughter of Neal and Ruth (Bonderson) Nelson. She grew up on the family farm south of Homer. She attended the one-room schoolhouse at the Combs Country School until the third grade. Then Karin attended school in Winnebago and graduated from Winnebago High School in 1968. Karin attended USD in Vermillion, Wayne State College, and received a teaching degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1975. She married Gary Washington in 1969 in Homer, NE. Karin taught kindergarten in Homer, NE before the family moved to Sioux City, IA, where Karin then taught school and preschool for many years. Karin loved to paint landscapes from photographs taken from the many cross-country trips the family took to California.

Karin was diagnosed with MS in 1988. As her health deteriorated due to MS, Karin continued to paint, write stories about her childhood and enjoy horseback riding. Karin continued to enjoy traveling, including frequent trips to Arizona to visit her siblings. Her parents helped take care of the family as Karin became less able to do so. She moved to the Heritage of Emerson Care Center in Emerson, NE in 1995, where she loved her home and received excellent care from the loving and attentive staff.

Karin was a member of the Homer United Methodist Church and Crescent Park United Methodist Church in Sioux City, IA. She was active in her churches over the years.

Survivors include 4 children, Laura Sawyer of Garrison, NY, Beth (Jesse) Clark of Morrison, CO, John (Carly) Washington of Stanfordville, NY, and David (Christina) Washington of San Diego, CA; 2 grandchildren, Lila Washington Sawyer and Theodore James Clark; her father, Neal Nelson of Winnebago, NE; 1 sister, Jenny Susan (Ted) Rudberg; 1 brother, John (Minh) Nelson; 1 niece, Anna (Pete) Rudberg Speiser; and 1 nephew, Eric Rudberg.

Karin was preceded in death by 1 daughter, Kristine Ruth Washington (deceased December 1977); and her mother, Ruth Nelson (deceased November 2010).
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