Marilyn May Nelson, 97, passed away on June 3, 2023, at Good Shepherd Home in Rushford, Minn.
She was born in Red Wing, Minn., on August 18, 1925. Marilyn was the daughter of Harvey and Mabel (Martinsen) Martinson and spent most of her youth in North St. Paul. In 1943, she graduated from North St. Paul High School and later married her high school and military sweetheart Warren (Smokey). Together they raised twin boys, Richard (Dick) and Robert (Bob). They lived most of their married life on Lafond Ave. in St. Paul, Minn. Marilyn was a long time employee for Team Electronics and later a bookkeeper for their retail store. She enjoyed spending her weekends at their lake cabin on Half Moon Lake, a special place still loved by her family. Marilyn was skilled at fishing and often outfished her husband. She loved to play games and spent many afternoons at the lake playing Yahtzee or cards with her grandchildren, or doing a word search. Marilyn particularly loved card games and had a regular card club with her friends. She never turned down a trip to the casino and was fond of slot machines. Marilyn loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them as much as she could.
She was preceded in death by husband Warren, her parents, sister Bernice, brother Kenneth, son Robert, and daughter-in-law Norma.
Marilyn is survived by her son Richard (Karen), and six grandchildren: Eric (Shelly), Matt (Cara), John (Lurae), Trisha (Greg), Suzy (Mark) and Katy (Jeff). She was Grandma GG to 14 great-grandchildren: Caleb, Braden, Abigail, Annalise, Thomas, Tanner, Jessica, Ava, Ellianna, Betsy, Jillian, Jacob, Connor and Liam.
There will be a memorial service for Marilyn at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at Hoff Funeral Home in Rushford. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.
Memorials are preferred to Rushford Lutheran Church or Good Shepherd Lutheran Home.
Special thanks to those at Good Shepherd for their compassionate care for five plus years.