Two University of Iowa parents were the center of attention at halftime of the Oct. 27 Hawkeye football game, when they were honored as Iowa’s Mom and Dad of the Year.

Mom of the Year

Nicolle and Roxann Wolken

Mom of the Year is Roxann Wolken of Marshalltown, Iowa, nominated by her daughter Nicolle Wolken, a pre-med junior studying neuroscience and minoring in religion and psychology. Wolken is mother to three daughters but also  to her extended family: she took in her brother’s three  children when he was called to serve in the first Gulf War, and housed her sister, brother-in-law, and their three  children when the family was between houses. A nurse of  18 years, she works full-time at the Iowa Veterans Home and cares for her husband, who has multiple sclerosis. She also teaches Sunday school, makes and donates quilts to worthy causes, and has coached Little League softball.

Dad of the Year

Don and Amanda Nelson

Dad of the Year is Donovan (Don) Nelson of Atkins, Iowa, nominated by his daughter Amanda, a junior nursing student. Nelson is director of technology at LimoLink in Marion, Iowa; an active member and volunteer at his church; and a hands-on dad to two daughters. He also cared for his wife, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis early in their marriage, making sure she was able to attend every sporting event and church activity the girls were involved with. He taught his daughters to be self-sufficient but always has been available to offer advice or just listen—especially following the death of their mother in January.

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