Dr. Mary Anne Nelson

Dr. Mary Anne Nelson, 75, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, Iowa. A celebration of life will be held in May of 2026. An actual date will follow. Burial at Czech National Cemetery in Cedar Rapids will take place at a later date.

Mary Anne was born December 15, 1950, in Carroll, Iowa, the daughter of Dr. Ray and Elva (Kriz) Hull of Wall Lake. She attended Wall Lake High School before transferring during her senior year to Interlochen Arts Academy near Traverse City, Michigan, where she graduated in 1969. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts in pre-med from the University of Iowa in 1972, and continued her education there, graduating from medical school with her doctorate in 1976. On March 6, 1976, she was united in marriage to Dr. Donald Nelson in Iowa City, Iowa.

Following medical school, Mary Anne completed her residency with the Cedar Rapids Family Practice Residency in 1979. She began her medical career with the Jacobs, Bomkamp, and Glanzer Practice, where she cared for patients for many years and eventually became co-owner of Glanzer & Nelson, P.C., practicing alongside JoLynn Glanzer and when Dr. Glanzer retired she maintained a solo practice until 2026. Over the course of 47 years, Mary Anne faithfully served the Cedar Rapids community with dedication and compassion.

Mary Anne was a devoted member of Cedar Valley Bible Church and the Christian Medical and Dental Association. While at the University of Iowa, she and her husband Donald helped found the campus chapter of the association, serving as secretary and president. She and her husband, Donald, also volunteered as members of Physicians Resource Council of Focus on the Family.

Survivors include her husband of nearly 50 years, Dr. Donald Nelson of Cedar Rapids; her brother, David (Beth) Hull of Edmond, Oklahoma; her nephew John (Christie) Blackburn and niece Kristina (Brig) Hull; and her step-siblings, Malcolm Polley, Jon Polley, Mike Polley, and Erica (Polley) Lancaster with their spouses, children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Bradley Hull.

Memorials may be directed to Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center or to the charity of the donor's choice.