Obituary

Toni Lea Nelson Toni Lea Nelson, 44, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on Monday, June 15, 2009 with her loving husband at her side after an eight-year battle with cancer. Toni was born February 24, 1965 in Carson City, Michigan to Larry Lee Meyers and Karen Kaye Beltinck.More than anything in her life Toni was a devoted wife, daughter, sister and friend. Toni was so full of life she had inherited a unique sense of humor. She left this world greatly comforted by the belief that everyone would remember her as the witty, fun-loving, caring and affectionate woman they knew her to be. Her husband Jeff is grateful to have shared the adventurous and thrilling experience that was life with Toni.Toni was an avid animal lover, especially cats and horses. Growing up in Michigan she was very active in 4-H. One of her favorite things at age 9 was to tow her friends through the snow on toboggans using her horse. At 13 she was barrel racing and eventually went on to win a world championship on her Buckskin American Quarter Horse “Dun Deluxe” (Dundee) in 1995. After her passing, her wish to donate her horse to “Heart of a Horse” foundation has come true. This organization helps promote the well being of horses and teaches children the value of animals and responsibility of caring for them.Through her life Toni always had at least one cat, but usually several, since she had a real soft spot for rescues. She loved to camp at the beach and ride mountain bikes with her husband Jeff.