Nelvie Joan Fremel, 84, of Buckley, formerly of Mokena passed away at 7:12 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at Riverside Medical Center, Kankakee.

A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Baier Family Funeral Services, Paxton is assisting the family with arrangements.

Nelvie was born November 11, 1940 in South Holland, Illinois the daughter of Simon Peter and Wilhelmina Johanna Cooper Van Deursen. She married Edward Peter Fremel, Jr.  September 13, 1961 at Bethany Christian Reformed Church, South Holland. He preceded her in death July 15, 2015.

She is survived by her daughter, Cindy (Dan) Ihrke of rural Roberts; four grandchildren, Triston (Grace) Ihrke, Sage (Brett Roon) Ihrke, Liah Ihrke, Madeline Goldman; siblings, Seymour Van Deursen of Sonoma, California, Eileen Van Baren of Loveland, Colorado, Audrey (John) Smit of Lititz, Pennsylvania; and numerous nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Edward and brother, Randall Van Deursen.

Nelvie spent her childhood in South Holland and graduated from Thornton Township High School, Harvey, Illinois. She lived in Mokena all of her married life before moving to Buckley in 2015.

Nelvie worked at the Mokena Public Library for many years. She was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ, Mokena where she was active with the church ladies and sang in the church choir. After moving to Buckley, she enjoyed quilting with the ladies at St. John's Lutheran Church, Buckley.

Nelvie was an avid reader and enjoyed sewing, jigsaw puzzles, and gardening both flowers and vegetables. She found joy in cooking and baking, especially appreciating the process of preparing meals and baked goods entirely from scratch and loved to eat.  Most of all spending time with her family was very important to her.

Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army. Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at www.baierfuneralservices.com.