Obituary
Nelda Jean (Erickson) Krohn passed away September 27, 2023 in Durham, NC. Although she suffered in later years with dementia, she expressed an abiding love to her family and friends and a lively sense of humor to everyone around her. In the days before her passing she celebrated her 91st birthday and was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and many friends.
Nelda was born in Plentywood, Montana on September 21, 1932 along with her twin sister, Melba. After graduating from high school in Plentywood, she and Melba left Montana to attend Pacific Lutheran College. Nelda later transferred to Eastern Montana College where she completed her degree in Education.
In Billings, she met her future husband, Wally Krohn, while both were attending a church service. Nelda and Wally married on December 18, 1954. Nelda followed Wally to San Diego, where he was stationed in the Marine Corps. There, she taught in the local public schools. In 1959 Wally was discharged from the Marine Corps and they settled in the San Francisco Bay Area. While in the Bay Area, Nelda gave birth to Marc then Marne.
The family moved several times, eventually settling in Concord, CA where Nelda began a long career in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, teaching at Glenbrook and Oak Grove Intermediate schools. Nelda’s interest in teaching about politics and civic engagement led her to coordinate the District’s Mock Legislature program culminating in students portraying law makers in mock legislative sessions and visiting their state representatives in Sacramento. Nelda was also a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and later Concordia Lutheran Church while living in Concord and had many dear friends from both congregations.
Nelda and Wally retired to Vancouver WA, where they enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends, attending Krohn reunions and Dixieland music festivals. After Wally’s passing in 1998, Nelda moved to Puyallup, WA to be closer to family. There she also maintained connections with her neighbors and the Puyallup Red Hat Ladies group and was active as a volunteer in the State Health Insurance Benefits Advisers program of Pierce County. In 2014, she moved to Carrboro, NC with family.
Nelda will be remembered for her devotion to civics awareness and engagement, teaching her grandchildren the importance of voting, maintaining a near perfect voting record and always keeping abreast of political developments and current events.
She enjoyed mastering technologies to stay connected to friends, family, and former students from Norway, Alberta, California, Nebraska, Oregon and Plentywood. She loved to teach her grandchildren by example to vote, live their values, and stay connected to family and friends. She lived with Marne until moving into an assisted living home in 2021.
Nelda is survived by son Marc and daughter-in-law Sharon Krohn (grandchildren Andrew, Emily and Ian), daughter Marne and son-in-law Chris Baca (grandchildren Sara and Paloma), nephews Rick, Brian, Mike, Brad, Jeff, Kipp, Jeffrey, nieces JoAnn and Loree. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Wally, brother Bill Newlon, sister-in-law Mary Sue Newlon, sister Melba McKay, brother-in-law Mert Phillips, brother-in-law Ray Krohn and sister-in-law Jean Krohn and nephews Gregg McKay and Steve Krohn.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to Duke Hospice and Home Care at https://www.givetodukeathome.org/ways-to-give/direct-giving or 4321 Medical Park Dr. #101 Durham, NC 27704
