Submitted by: Dan Rich

Ethel G. Nelson

July 27, 1907 - Aug. 13, 1996

South Bend Tribune 8/18/1996

Ethel G. Nelson, 89, of Belmont Avenue, died Aug. 13 after a brief illness. She was born Ethel Geneva Fennie on July 27, 1907 in Kenyon, Minn. After graduating from Glenwood City (Wis.) High School, she attended Anker Hospital School of Nursing, St. Paul, Minn., where she received her registered nurse's qualification. In Minneapolis, she worked at the Swedish Hospital and Minneapolis General Hospital. In South Bend, she was a charge nurse at Memorial Hospital. Retiring from Memorial Hospital in 1971, Mrs. Nelson continued private duty nursing until shortly before her death.

In 1995, Mrs. Nelson was recognized by REAL Services for her outstanding contribution in delivering Meals on Wheels for more than 25 years. Mrs. Nelson was an active member and held offices in Order of Eastern Star, Chapter 2, and the Messiah Shrine, Chapter 10, of White Shrine of Jerusalem. She was chaplain of the South Bend Chapter of the Vasa Order of America, and a charter member of the Knute Rockne Chapter of the Sons of Norway. She has been a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church since 1952 where she was a member of the choir, Women's Circle and the Lutheran Church Women.

Mrs. Nelson is survived by two daughters, Karen Whitewood and her husband Don of Toronto, Ontario, and Johanna Harstad of Seattle, Wash.; two sons, Lars, and his wife Karen, of Staples, Minn. and David and his wife Carol, of Sacramento, Calif. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and a sister, Thelma Wall of Des Moines, Iowa. She was preceded in death by two grandchildren, five sisters and seven brothers.

Friends may call Monday, Aug. 19, from 4 to 8 p.m. in Forest G. Hay Funeral Home, 1201 S. Michigan St. The Order of Eastern Star Chapter 2, will conduct memorial services following visitation at 8 p.m. in the funeral home. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, in Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 225 E. Haney St., South Bend. Interment will take place in West Acres Cemetery, Prairie Farm, Wis. Memorial contributions may be made to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, REAL Services or the charity of the donor's choice.