Marian Therese Nelsen, 93, of 1314 First Avenue South, Escanaba, MI, died June 9, 2007 at home surrounded by her loving family.
Marian was born January 26, 1914, in Escanaba, the daughter of William and Anna (Fassbender) Van Lister. She was raised in Escanaba and was a graduate of St. Joseph’s High School (1931). Marian performed post-graduate studies at the Escanaba Area High School (1931-32) and attended Cloverland Business College (1932-33).
Marian married Leonard C. Nelsen on August 30, 1941, and he preceded her in death on March 22, 1984.
Marian was a member of the St. Patrick’s (now St. Joseph’s/St. Patrick’s) parish. Marian was employed with the State of Michigan for 26 years. She held numerous positions, most notably as the Office Manager at the U.P. State Fair for 15 years. Prior to retiring in 1979, Marian was an active member in the State Employee Retirees Association and the Business & Professional Women’s organization. She served as an officer on the Board of Directors of the U.P. State Employees Credit Union and of the Delta Country Credit Union.
Marian is best remembered by friends and family as a kind, intelligent, hard-working and motivated woman. She was an avid reader and advocate of education. In her younger years, she was a member of the camera club, "Rock Hounds" rock collecting club, and relished many weekends of camping with her family during the summers. Marian loved to fish with Leonard on the Escanaba River and always enjoyed a good fish fry. Marian was perhaps best known by friends for her expert bridge playing skills, and she enjoyed her daily crossword puzzle. She undoubtedly had an appreciation for the art of shopping – grocery, clothing and jewelry shopping in particular. She inspired those around her with her integrity, compassion, conscientiousness, quest for knowledge, and her perseverance.
Mrs. Nelsen is survived by:
3 daughters: Marlene Nelsen of Escanaba; Anna (Richard) Lundin of Syracuse, Indiana and Mae (Marvin) Lueneburg of Depere, WI
A sister, Dorothy Henigan of Dekalb, IL
9 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by:
Her husband, Leonard, and 2 children, Jean Marie and Robert Anthony
3 sisters, Helen (Ed) Guindon, Pearl (Joe) Ruppier, Anna Mae (Ray) Babiarz; 1 brother, William Van Lister.
The Nelsen family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 12th from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the Skradski-Boyce Funeral Home in Escanaba. Mass of Christain Burial will follow at 1:00 PM at St. Joseph’s/ St Patrick’s Parish. Marian will be laid to rest at the Gardens of Rest Cemetery in Wells.
