Marilyn Ruth Nelson

Marilyn Ruth Nelson passed away at 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 siblings Charles, Joanne, Russell, Randy, Beverly, and Sue.

She graduated from Harlan Community High School in 1960 and soon after moved to
Washington DC 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, Leland, Paul, and Nancy.

She worked at Salem Lutheran Homes in Elk Horn and CDS in Harlan until her
retirement. She worked as a caregiver to many friends and family after retirement.
Marilyn was an active member within 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 is preceded in death by her parents Harold and Mildred Baker, husband
LaVerne Nelson, brothers Richard and Russ, and sister Susan Green.

She is survived by her Siblings: Charles (Melody) Baker of Tampa, FL, Joanne (Gary)
Parker of Columbus, NE, Randy (Kathy) Baker of LeGrand, IA, Beverly (Larry) Mundt of
Fort Worth, TX, sister-in-law Barbara Baker of Greenfield, IA; 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 (Katrena) Britton, Kailey (Tyler Loew) Britton; and Great
Grandchildren: Noa, Anthony, Adalee, Harper, Elliot, Cooper, Alison, Mason and Layla.

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.