Jolene E. Nelson, age 81, a resident of Glen Ellyn, passed away on Friday, February 18, 2022. She was born September 5, 1940 in Albert Lea, Minnesota to Eugene & Wanda Mobley.

Jolene is best known for her kind and generous Heart that knew no boundaries. She was the Heart and soul of her family… pouring out her love to her husband of 63 years, five children, her son-in-law and two daughter-in-laws, 11 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. She had a Heart for her brothers and sister, nieces and nephews, friends and neighbors, even those she had just met. She had a Heart for children and prisoners, and all the people who would come across her path. But most of all, she had a Heart for Jesus.

Jolene was blessed with many gifts and talents and used her love of art as a way to minister to others. As an accomplished artist, writer, illustrator, public speaker, art teacher, interior designer, counselor, prison chaplain and through her clown ministry as Locket, she touched more lives than any of us will ever know. Her art became her voice in sharing the gospel to everyone she would meet. Jolene was the founder of AKA Ministries, and served as a chaplain, ministering to women in the DuPage County Jail, as well as the youth at Valley View Department of Corrections. She also taught art at First Baptist Christian School in Downers Grove, which she loved.

Her grandchildren will never forget the clubs she formed for them and their friends, using art, poetry, prose and performance to give them the tools and insights needed to love themselves and others. Whether it was The Poet Club, Arts and Crafts Club, Fivers or Munchkins, her grandchildren and their friends had a special bond (and many treats at Starbucks) with Grandma Nelson. They were the "fruits" of her eyes.

Jolene loved gardening, putting her artistic touch on everything and shopping for treasures. She also enjoyed seeing God's beauty in every day life … whether she was at home, traveling across the country in the motorhome with her husband John or even across the world to places such as the Ukraine, Hong Kong, Italy and Honduras.

Jolene had a servant's heart and the love she shared with the people in her life will forever be remembered. Her faith was the driving force in all she did, granting her the strength to overcome obstacles, while lifting up others. The twinkle in her blue eyes, the playful smirk on her face, and her words of love and encouragement are already missed.

Jolene, Jo, Wife, Mom, Mommy, Mama, Mother-In-Law, Grandma, Great Grandma, GG, Sister, Aunt Jolene, Friend … you are loved, and we are blessed to have had you in our lives.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, John; her children Christine Nelson of Glen Ellyn, Julie (Jerry) Dean of Wheaton, Tom (Maria) Nelson of Mapleton, Illinois, David (Mary) Nelson of Wheaton; her grandchildren Katelyn (Sam) Haist, Krista (Patrick) Hopkins & Jesse Dean; Danny (Brandi), Nathan, Seth & Faith Nelson; Lauren, Brittany, Luke & Abigail Nelson; and eight great-grandchildren: Ava Heugel; Ezekiel Holmes; Eden, Chloe, & Norah Haist; Piper & Owen Hopkins; and Lashanti Nelson. Also survived by her brothers CJ (Becky) Mobley & Raymond (Annie) Mobley and many beloved nieces and nephews whom she adored.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Joy; her brother Eugene (Susan) Mobley; and her sister Joan (Dick) Plotz.

A visitation will be held at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, Illinois, on Saturday, February 26, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. with a funeral service to follow at 4:00 p.m. Burial will be held at Fountain Lutheran Church Cemetery in Juneau County, Wisconsin on Monday, February 28, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.