Marietta Nelson

Marietta Lorene Nelson, longtime resident of the Enid, Oklahoma area, passed Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at the Willow Haven Nursing Center of Tonkawa. She was 88 years of age. Marietta was born April 23, 1921 on a farm near Lahoma, Oklahoma, the daughter of Herman Coward and Edna Swiggert Coward. She was a graduate of Carrier, Oklahoma High School and continued her education, becoming a school teacher. She was married to Bernard L. Nelson on June 15, 1940 at Enid. While residing in Enid she owned and operated a Day Nursery and was a pre-school and kindergarten teacher at Vance Air Force Base. She also had been employed with Marquis Studios for a number of years. Marietta was proud to be a 47 year member of the TOPS organization both in Enid and Ponca City. She retired to Ponca City where gardening, fishing and dominos brought her much enjoyment. She became involved with the Senior Citizens Center in the McCord community and was involved in many activities but cards and Bingo became her favorites. She is survived by her three children, Roberta Wilder of Leesburg, Florida, Gerald L. Nelson of Burbank, Oklahoma, and Larry G. Nelson of Knotts Island, North Carolina; one brother, Gerald W. Coward of Sallisaw, Oklahoma; 8 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bernard, in 2000; two brothers, Arnold Coward and J. Herman Coward Jr.; one sister, Helen Jantz. There will be viewing at Grace Memorial Chapel from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. on Monday, September 14, 2009 with the funeral service to commence at 10 a.m.. Hospice Chaplain Tom Howard will preside over the service. There will be a 3 p.m. committal service at Memorial Park Cemetery North of Enid also on Monday with her son-in-law, Doug Wilder presiding. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.