Carol Eileen Nelson

January 28, 1947 - December 27, 2020

Carol Eileen Nelson (nee Gest), age 73, of Amherst passed away on Sunday, December 27, 2020 at Mercy New Life Hospice after a long-standing illness. She was born in Lakewood, Ohio on January 28, 1947 to Ruth and Clyde Gest. Carol was a 1965 graduate of North Ridgeville High School and upon her graduation attended Ohio Business College. Carol made her career as bus driver, employed by the Amherst School System, retiring in 2001 and managed The Weathered Fences Horse Barn for 46 years. Managing the Horse Barn was a passion and not just a job. She was the proud owner of her first horse, Rawhide, who lived to 44 years old. She was a member of a group known as the “Saddle Bags”, a group of woman centered around their love of horses. She also served as a 4-H Leader of the Thundering Hooves Horse Club in Lorain County for 10 years. Carol enjoyed carpentry work and put that talent to use rebuilding her house and barn. Entertaining her family and friends brought her much joy and she will always be remembered for the wonderful parties that she planned and orchestrated so well. Carol was also a very spiritual woman. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her. Carol is survived by her daughters, Carrie (Stephen Wilson) Stempowski, and Nannette (Larry) Moore; son, Daniel (Lizze Eagles) Stempowski; step-sons, Scott (Jennifer) Koba-Nelson, and Grant (Michelle) Koba- Nelson; grandchildren, Caleb Stempowski, and Luke Moore; step-grandchildren, Brad, Sadie, Jenna, Lane, and Dillon; siblings, Russel (Mary) Gest, of Texas, Beverly Haag, of Georgia, Margie Potts, of Lorain, Clyde “Rollie” (Kathy) Gest, of Berea, Curtis Gest, of Elyria, and Norma Gest, of Amherst; ex-husbands Bill Nelson, Kenneth Stempowski, and her lifelong horse riding friends known as the “Saddle Bags”, the family she chose and who Carol’s family is so thankful for. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Clyde Gest. A Celebration of Life service will take place at a later date. If considering donations, the family suggest donations be made in memory of Carol to New Life Hospice Center, 3500 Kolbe Road, Lorain, Ohio 44053. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center.