Marie Willemina Nelson

Marie Willemina Nelson; age 97, of West Jordan, Utah and formerly of Gold Beach, Oregon died Sunday, February 18, 2007 at the Bennion Care Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Marie was born May 7, 1909 in Gorinchem, Holland, the daughter of Willem deJong and Maria Harting deJong. She was the fifth child of six children. With her family, she moved to Lethbridge, Alberta Canada and then to Brownsmead, Oregon. She attended schools in Knappa, Oregon, graduating from Union High School. She earned a degree in nursing from the St. Mary's Hospital and School of Nursing in Astoria, Oregon. She worked as a surgical nurse until retirement. She married Norvel Callister in St. George, Utah on April 21, 1938. He preceded her in death in July of 1946. She married Carl Oscar Nelson in Alhambra, California on January 28, 1949. He preceded her death in 1981. Marie was active in the Baptist Church and was a member of the Gold Beach, Oregon congregation for 30 years. Marie enjoyed gardening. She could water anything and make it grow. She loved reading and crocheting. She was given the Angel Award at the age of 91 for crocheting over 100 caps in 1991 for the kids of Curry County. The thing that meant the world to Marie was getting together with her family, friends and pets. She is survived by a daughter; Louise (Michiel) Verdel of Las Vegas, Nevada. A graddaughter; Denise (Andre) Henkes of West Jordan, Utah. A grandson; Gregory Michael (Wendie) Verdel of Las Vegas, Nevada. Three grandchildren; Stephanie Verdel, Natasia Verdel and Ryan Henkes. She was preceded in death by her two husbands, her parents and three brothers and two sisters. Bill deJong, Tyman deJong, John deJong, Adriana Abrahams and Maaike Zankich. Marie's family will hold a Celebration of Life at a later date.
You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.