Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2542 G Road.
Ms. Nelson was a teacher.
Survivors include one son, Stan of Huntington Beach, California; four daughters, Marsha Reekie of Keller, Texas, Sarah Broderick of Lindon, Utah, and Rachel Nelson Fortner and Rebecca Fleishman, both of Grand Junction; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to HopeWest & Hospice, 3090B N. 12th St., Grand Junction, CO 81506.
Marie Nelson
October 3, 1926 - July 16, 2014
Marie Nelson was born in Ventura California, on October 3, 1926, to devoted parents, Earl and Ethelean Standley. She enjoyed a happy childhood in a loving family, with siblings, Loren, and Verla (Lynn) Rasmussen. Her family traveled around northern California as her father looked for work. They settled in Meridian, Idaho. Marie attended school there along with helping her mother make ends meet by doing odd jobs and farm work.
In high school she was active in drama. With a beautiful voice, she played many lead roles in the school musicals. Marie attended Utah State University in Logan where she earned a B.S. degree in education in 1953. While enrolled in a college typing class, Marie met a handsome young man named Wayne Nelson from Grantsville, Utah. She had noticed him playing tennis, his legs in particular. They were married in the Logan Temple and accepted their first teaching jobs in Rockland, Idaho. Wayne was the high school coach and Marie taught in the elementary school. They then accepted teaching positions in Grace, Idaho. There, Marie was busy directing children's theatre productions and won the Idaho State Thespian Title for her memorable production of ""Thar's Gold in Them Thar Hills"". Wayne was then offered a coaching position at Mesa Jr. College in Grand Junction, Colorado which he happily accepted.
After taking a break from teaching to care for their six children, Marie began teaching school again at Columbus Elementary. This was followed by several years as a kindergarten teacher at Tope Elementary. In 1986, she was a finalist for 'Teacher of the Year' for the state of Colorado.
When not in the classroom Marie found time to teach and play tennis. For many years she was an amazing tennis player even winning the Idaho State Tennis Championship in 1954. She also performed in many local theatre productions.
Marie cherished her husband and family spending many happy summers camping on southern California beaches.
She is survived by Marsha (Iain) Reekie; Rachel (Glenn) Fortner; Stan (Sherry) Nelson; Sarah (Van) Broderick, and Rebecca (Thomas) Fleishman and has 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne, and her son, Nathan Nelson.
She passed away at Larchwood Inn of natural causes July 16, 2014. A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 21 at 10:00 with a visitation at 9:00 at the Church of Jesus Christ at 2542 G Rd.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to HopeWest Hospice.
Published in The Daily Sentinel on July 20, 2014
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