Rich and Jean Nelson

Jean Keller (C'72) thought she knew where life would take her after high school. She decided to attend the University of Northern Iowa to pursue her teaching degree. However, Judy (Storm) Crandall (C'67), Jean's cheering coach and physical education teacher from Manchester, Iowa, brought Jean to the University of Dubuque.

"We went on the Phi-O hayride," Jean remembered.

She had so much fun on her visit that she decided UD would be her home, and Jean began her college journey in fall 1968. Jean studied elementary education and physical education, and she was active on campus. She worked in the dining hall with Marge Kremer and pledged to Zeta Phi Sorority, serving as president her junior year. Jean also served as a student ambassador and was a member of the Spartan Club, House Council, and cheerleading.

During fall 1970, Jean was working in the dining hall when she caught the eye of a young freshman, Rich Nelson (C'74). Rich was new to the Midwest, having come to UD from New York thanks to his good friend, Ed Hendrix (C'71). Rich studied business administration and economics, and he enjoyed being a member of the football and track teams. He was also a member of the D Club and pledged to the Athenaean Fraternity, serving as president his junior and senior years.

After seeing Jean in the dining hall, Rich asked a friend if they thought Jean or another girl would go out with him. His friend told him that the other girl was dating someone but said that Jean MIGHT go out with him. As luck would have it, Jean already had a date that night, but she decided to break off that date to go out with Rich.

"We drove to Milan, Illinois, to see the movie Love Story. Our love story started on that first date night and it has never stopped," Rich said.

After that, the two were inseparable and in late spring 1972, Rich asked Jean to marry him. The months following were a whirlwind: Jean graduated and began working with Cliff Bunting (C'57) in UD's Office of Admission and the couple planned their wedding.

On August 19, 1972, Rich and Jean were married at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dubuque, Iowa. Dr. Roger Woods, professor of theology, served as the officiant, which was special because both Rich and Jean had taken classes with Dr. Woods.

"Back then we had to go to church every week," Jean said, adding, "During one of our marriage counseling sessions, Dr. Woods told us that we shouldn't get married because we were from totally different worlds. Well, we didn't listen, and he still agreed to marry us!"

The couple remembers that it was an incredibly hot day and they were thankful that their ceremony was not until the evening. A reception was held at the Hotel Julien Dubuque for all of their family and closest friends, complete with a live band, hors d'oeuvres, and, of course, wedding cake. A few of their UD friends were part of the wedding party, including Barb (Langenhan) Achey (C'72), Steve Nash (C'71), and Steve Ressler (C'74). Suzanne (Luck) Preiss (C'72) sang, and many other classmates were in attendance.

The newlyweds got to enjoy a short honeymoon in Rockton, Illinois.

"I was still in school and football started the week following our wedding, so we just did a quick, three-day honeymoon," Rich said.

The couple moved into the Potterveld Apartments where they lived until Rich graduated. While Rich was focusing on school, Jean continued to work for the admission office and even traveled for recruiting.

After Rich graduated in 1974, the couple rented an apartment on Pennsylvania Avenue in Dubuque before they purchased their first home on the North End in 1975. Rich began working second shift at A.Y. McDonald before transitioning into the role of personnel manager. He also worked at Gildner's clothing store. Jean worked at UD until 1975, when they welcomed their first child, Jay, into the world. Their second child, Michael, was born in 1978.

Rich and Jean then purchased a home on Melrose Terrace, the home that they thought would be their forever home.

"We moved in over Labor Day weekend, then the following Tuesday I got a call to work for John Deere in the Quad Cities as a personnel representative. I had to take the job, so I worked in the Quad Cities from September to June and would commute. Jean kept busy with the kids and got the house ready to sell, and in June 1979, we all moved to the Quad Cities," Rich said.

The couple completed their family with the birth of their third child, Emily, in 1983.

Rich got his master of business administration from St. Ambrose University in 1983. In 1986, he was instrumental in helping start the John Deere Health Care Division. He then served as director of product delivery before retiring from John Deere in 2006 when the division was sold to United Healthcare. Rich continued to work for United Healthcare until officially retiring in 2012.

Jean enjoyed being involved with the kids, including volunteering at Sunday School and PTA, where she served as president. Once the kids were older, Jean began working at Material Image as an interior designer in 1991. Additionally, she was on the Junior Board of the Quad City Symphony, helped with fundraising efforts at Jay's school, served as president of the Newcomers Group, and has been a member of the Bridge Club for 40 years.

Now that they are retired, Jean and Rich enjoy spending time with grandkids, traveling, fly fishing, playing pickleball, and reading historical books.

"I spend most of my time worshiping my wife," Rich said with a wink and grin.

The couple love spending time with their family and creating memories. They go to Brookside in Northern Minnesota each year in July, and all the kids and grandkids come as often as they can. They enjoyed a big family cruise in 2019 and took a trip to Yellowstone in 2021. Rich and Jean also enjoy traveling to the Dominican Republic each year and are planning a Spain and Portugal trip for fall 2023.

Last year Rich and Jean celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a 10-day trip to Mackinac Island and stayed a few days at the Grand Hotel.

"I wanted to go there for our honeymoon, but that just wasn't possible, so it was fun to go to celebrate our anniversary," Jean said.

They also celebrated their 50th at Biaggi's in the Quad Cities with close friends, some of which were UD friends. Both Rich and Jean said they love getting together with other UD grads and had a wonderful time celebrating Jean's 50th Class Reunion during Homecoming 2022.