Lynne Alison Engle Nelson passed away peacefully Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, under hospice care at her residence, The Lodge at Historic Lewes, surrounded by the love of her family.

Lynne was born Sept. 10, 1938, in Danville, Ill., the first child of Harold Cecil Engle and Kathleen Davenport Engle. Along with her younger sister, Pam, the family moved during Lynne’s childhood to Moline, Peoria and finally Rockford, Ill. She spent virtually her entire life in Rockford, building a life centered on family, deep community roots, enduring friendships and faith. She recently relocated to Lewes to be closer to her family.

Growing up in Rockford, Lynne was smart, ambitious and fiercely proud of her hometown. A graduate of Rockford East High School Class of 1956, she remained a devoted E-Rab booster throughout her life. She attended Beloit College before returning to Rockford, where she married her high school sweetheart and next-door neighbor in Rolling Green, Guy Nelson.

Lynne raised three children, all E-Rabs, of course, and filled their childhood with constant fun: teaching the Twist while ironing in the kitchen, Sunday ice cream sundae dinners at the Last Straw, and attending real estate open houses simply to browse and see how others lived, even when there was no thought of moving.

Goodness, Lynne loved to drive. She knew virtually every street in Rockford, shuttling her children to practices, recitals, concerts, sporting events, plays and tryouts. Her wanderlust took her far beyond town, too. She planned road trips to Chicago, Cincinnati, Iowa City, Milwaukee, Madison and even Washington, D.C.

And if she could make the trip with a dear friend or small group, all the better. Later in life, she fulfilled her dreams of traveling internationally, including Mexico, Australia, China, the Caribbean and Paris.

Lynne was exceptionally social and active. She enjoyed Monday morning breakfasts with E-Rab classmates from decades ago. An ardent bridge player, she belonged to numerous local bridge clubs. She was deeply involved in the Rockford Woman’s Club and Pi Beta Phi sorority, where she treasured the lifelong friendships and opportunities for civic engagement. She was also a dedicated golfer, and a longtime member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, where she broke a barrier by becoming the first woman to serve as president of the church board.

Those relationships, and her considerable driving skills, served her well as she transitioned from administrative work and serving as an East High attendance secretary to a successful career in real estate. 

In 2010, she was honored as Realtor of the Year.

Lynne will be remembered for her wit, fierce devotion to family and friends, and the profound resilience she demonstrated throughout her 88 years. Her final days were marked by the same dignity and strength that defined her life.

Lynne was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Guy Nelson; her sister, Pamela Engle; and her nephew, Xavier Engle.

She is survived by her three children, Jeff Nelson (Rob Cogorno) of Lewes, Jody Andruss of Madison, Wis., and Julee Nelson (Paul Dean) of New York, N.Y.; and by her three grandchildren, Alison Andruss, Eli Andruss and Sophia Dean. She is also survived by her cherished “sister from another mother,” Rosemary Larson.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Lynne’s honor to Carpenter’s Place in Rockford or Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity.

The family extends its deepest gratitude to the staff of The Lodge at Historic Lewes and Wesley Willows in Rockford for the compassionate and dignified care they provided to Lynne.