Nelma Rix, age 96 of Fonda, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 31, 2017, at Loring Hospital in Sac City, IA. Nelma Ruth Just was born on July 17, 1921, to William and Helene (Hammer) Just in Sac County. She was baptized as a child and was confirmed at the Methodist Church in Newell, IA. Nelma attended country school and graduated 8^th grade at Douglas Township #1 in Sac County.

   On June 12, 1940, Nelma was married to Edward Rix at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. On February 28, 1941, they made their home on a farm north of Lytton, IA. Nelma was able to call this place her home for the next 76 years. This union was blessed with four children: Mildred, Shirley, Edna and Edward. 

   Nelma was a member of Emanuel-St. John Lutheran Church in Lytton where she served as a Sunday School teacher over the years. She served in both the Dorcas and Rachel Circles, and in her earlier years, Nelma along with Edward, cleaned the church. At the time of Edward’s passing, Nelma was in charge of the funeral luncheons and dinners, and helped prepare the meal for his service.  She was also a member of the choir.  Nelma mowed the cemetery north of town, along with the help of several of her grandchildren. She was a great farm wife who was never afraid to step in and do whatever was needed around the farm, often driving truck to shell corn. Nelma enjoyed crocheting in her spare time. She was a great cook and loved baking cakes. Nelma often times could be found delivering meals to the elderly who lived out in the country and was always lending a hand to area elderly folks. She had a genuine love for flowers and cats. Nelma was very involved in the local 4-H club, Williams Happy Pals for several years. In her later years, Nelma ran the Heartland Café and Grandma’s Coffee Shop in Lytton where everyone could enjoy her delicious food and great conversations.

   Nelma was a loving and devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother,  great-great grandmother, and friend who will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Those left to cherish her memory are her children: Mildred Purdie of Rockwell City, IA, Shirley (Larry) Westphalan of Sioux City, IA, and Edna (Dyle) Rockafellow of Sac City, IA; grandchildren: Arlin (Debbie) Purdie, Marlene (Lynn) Ramsey, Robert (Jodi) Purdie, Marlyn Purdie, Michael (Stephanie) Westphalan, Judith (Scott) Stanton, Daniel (Bridgett) Westphalan, Sarah Westphalan, Mark Westphalan, and Rachel (Jason) Wolfe; sister Helene Johnson; brother-in-law LeRoy Dirks; sister-in-law Becky Just; 13 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren; many extended family members and friends.

   She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Helene Just; husband Edward (March 27, 1977); son Edward; granddaughter Valerie Rockafellow; son-in-law David Purdie; 2 infant great grandchildren; sisters: Elnora Fitchett, Donna Belle Dirks, Verna Mae Miller, and Myrna Johnson; brothers: Norvin, Merlin, and Loren Just, brothers-in-law: Allen Johnson, LeRoy Fitchett, Dale Miller, and Harry Johnson; and sister-in-law Violet Just.