West Liberty, Iowa

Marion Jean Nelson, 94, passed away Sunday, September 14, 2025, at the Simpson Memorial Home in West Liberty.

Visitation will be held from 12:30 to 2:00 P.M. Friday, September 26, 2025, at the Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Liberty, followed immediately by funeral services at 2:00 P.M. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery, West Liberty.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to WL & Rural Township Fire and EMS Association. 

Marion was born June 17, 1931, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the daughter of Charles and Nora (James) Rossos. On August 29, 1949, she was united in marriage to Elmer Nelson at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.

Marion had been employed as a housekeeping supervisor at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for 35 years. 

She enjoyed sewing, gardening, and refinishing antiques. Marion loved spending time with her grandchildren and embraced life with joy. She was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and the Red Hats.

Marion is survived by three sons, Harold Nelson of Silverton, Oregon; Leonard (Merry Sue) Nelson of West Des Moines, Iowa; and Gene Nelson of Iowa City; and a daughter, Vania (Leo) Kirkpatrick of West Liberty. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, many great grandchildren, stepson, Elmer Nelson of Gainesville, Florida, and step daughter in law: Dorothy Nelson of Cambridge, Minnesota; and 6 step grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Elmer; son, Norman; stepson, Albert; stepdaughter-in-law, Mary Jo Cole; and her sister, Beverly.