Marilyn Ruth Nelson passed away in United Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 12, 2024, at 82 years old.
Marilyn was born inside her grandmother Gertrude Best’s home in Dow City, Iowa, on February 15, 1942, to Harold and Mildred Baker as their first daughter. She was joined by three sisters – Joanne, Beverly, and Sue. Her brothers followed – Charles, Russell, and Randy.
She graduated from Harlan Community High School in 1960 and soon after moved to Washington, D.C., to work for the FBI. Marilyn returned home to be reunited with and marry Laverne Nelson on August 6, 1961, after he returned from Germany after his two-year stint in the Army.
Marilyn and Laverne purchased a farm in Rural Marne, Iowa, where they raised their four children – Cheri, Lee, Paul, and Nancy.
Marilyn worked at Salem Lutheran Homes in Elk Horn and CDS in Harlan until her retirement. After retirement, she cared for many friends and family. Marilyn was an active member of Elk Horn Lutheran Church throughout her life and a devout child of the Lord.
Marilyn was a selfless caregiver who wanted to help everyone. She was a devoted mother and grandmother. Family was the highlight of her life—she loved spending time with her siblings, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as often as she could. In her spare time, she enjoyed sharing a cup of coffee with her friends, quilting, and outings with the Red Hat Society. She also had a unique love for Social Media… everyone was her friend.
Her lifelong friend, Pat Esbeck and Marilyn, were inseparable throughout their lives. From the moment Pat, Levi, and their children moved into the neighborhood, they became more like family; they spent all their time together. The pair particularly enjoyed sitting on Pat’s front porch, solving life’s problems… and later arguing about life’s problems.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Mildred Baker; Husband, Laverne Nelson; brothers Richard and Russ; sister, Susan Green; and in-laws, Leonard R. Nelson and Dorothy M. (Esbeck) Nelson.
She is survived by her Children: Cheri (Mike) Mahoney of Willow Spring, NC, Leland Nelson of Elk Horn, IA, Paul (Kim) Nelson of Dexter, IA, Nancy (Dustin) Williams of Lincoln, NE; Grandchildren: Holly (Ben Whittle) Mahoney, Samantha (Roy Hughes) Mahoney, Cassie (Nathan Roebuck) Nelson, Raini (Tyler) Williamson, Cole Britton, Kailey (Tyler Loew) Britton; and Great Grandchildren: Noa, Anthony, Adalee, Harper, Elliot, Cooper, Alison, Mason, and Layla; Siblings: Charles (Melody) Baker of Tampa, FL, Randy (Kathy) Baker of LeGrand, IA, Joanne (Gary) Parker of Columbus, NE; Beverly (Larry) Mundt of Fort Worth TX; sister-in-law Barbara Baker of Greenfield IA; She will also be remembered by her cousins, nieces, nephews, coworkers, and dear friends.
Public visitation with the family will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 14, 2024, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic, IA.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church in Elk Horn, Iowa, with Pastor Laura Webb officiating. Interment will follow at the Elk Horn Lutheran Cemetery. A luncheon will be held following the interment in the fellowship hall of the Elk Horn Lutheran Church.
Memorials may be directed to the Marilyn Nelson Family, to be determined at a later date. They may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home – P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.
Funeral arrangements are handled by the Schmidt Family Funeral Home.