(Margaret) Marie Myers, daughter of Margaret and Emmert Nelsen, was born November 18, 1939 at her parents’ home in Guthrie County, Iowa. Marie was welcomed into heaven on November 16, 2020.
Marie attended grade school in a one-room schoolhouse in Melville Township just east of Audubon, Iowa. During her youth, Marie was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon and active in 4-H. She graduated from Audubon High School in 1958.
On December 14, 1963, Bennie Ray Myers and Marie Nelsen joined hands and hearts in marriage at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. They were blessed with two children: Jay Nelsen in 1965 and Janelle Leigh in 1973. The family resided in Papillion from 1963-1977. During this time, Marie was an active member of her community. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she participated in Circle, taught Sunday School, facilitated Bible School, and participated in Couple’s Group and Bible Study. Marie was active in the Papillion Junior Women’s club, delivered Meals on Wheels, was appointed to the Election Commission, and served on the Papillion Library Board. She was also an active member of the PTA, holding many offices, including serving as President of the Inter-City Council of PTA’s in the Omaha area. She was also a member of the Volunteer Aids in Reading (VAIR) program. Ben and Marie left the city for small-town life. After a short time in Carson, Iowa, they landed in Treynor, Iowa in 1978, where they remained for the rest of their years. While in Treynor, they were members of St. Paul Lutheran Church, where Marie served on the Alter Committee and the wedding committee. She enjoyed being part of Bible study groups, the ice cream social, and the quilting group.
Marie was a long-time employee of Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, which later became Qwest Communications. She began her employment in 1959 and retired in 2000.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret and Emmert Nelsen; brother-in-law, Robert Rattenborg; brother, Arnie Nelsen; and her beloved husband, Ben.
Marie is survived by her two children: son, Jay Myers and wife, Sally, of Treynor, and her daughter, Janelle Revier, and Bill Whempner, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; six grandchildren: Gracie and Emma Myers of Treynor, Iowa, and Jack, Leslie, Adrienne and Victoria Revier of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and great-granddaughter, Macyn Rae Schroeder. She is also survived by her siblings and their spouses: Darrell (Sue) Nelsen, Tom (Betsy) Nelsen, Vitta Rattenborg, Don (Dorothy) Nelsen, Phyliss Cort, and Frank (Marlene) Nelsen; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
Marie’s greatest joys were her children and especially her grandchildren. She adored her grandchildren and enjoyed whatever they were a part of: watching sporting events, cheer, dance recitals, taking them shopping, out to dinner or for ice cream, or baking at home. Whatever they were doing, she cherished the time with her grandchildren. Marie was a beautiful quilter and created quite a collection to leave as a legacy for her children and grandchildren. Marie always put her family first. She was hard-working, kind, talented, generous and will be deeply missed.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, November 22, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa with Pastor Dan Beattie officiating. Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. There will be an open visitation on Saturday, November 21, 2020 from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon. The family may not be present during the open visitation. Due to the new Covid-19 state regulations, masks will be required for the visitation and funeral service. Casket bearers will be: David Dermody, Scott Dermody, Darrell Nelsen, Jr., Donnie Nelsen, Jr., James Nelsen, Josh Nelsen, Jack Revier, Nick Nelsen, Randy Nelsen, Todd Nelsen, and Joel Rattenborg. Memorials are preferred to the family for a later designation. The Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon is charge of her arrangements.
