Ione Marie Nelson (1933-2020)

 

Ione Marie Nelson, 87, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in her daughter’s home and in the same room in which Marquette’s midwife delivered her on Jan. 20, 1933. She was the youngest of three children born to Chester and Verna Lindstrom. As the only girl, she was known by her family as “Sis.”

After graduating from Marquette High School in 1951, Ione began nurse’s training at the Trinity Lutheran Hospital in Kansas City. She then moved to Massachusetts to take a postgraduate course in labor and delivery at the Boston Lying-In Hospital. It was there that she met a Boston University student, Clarke Hamlet. The two were married in 1956 and moved to Lexington in 1958. They had three daughters, Susan, Diane, and Lisa, and together Clarke and Ione created a childhood full of wonderful memories for their girls. They divorced in 1975, and Ione and Lisa moved back to Marquette in 1979. The 21 years in Lexington were special for Ione. The neighborhood was ethnically diverse, and Ione was undoubtedly the glue that held it together. She was considered a best and lifelong friend to many, even after moving out of the neighborhood.

When Ione returned to Marquette to care for her aging parents, she began dating Blackie Nelson. They were married in 1981 and shared a love of dancing, cards, politics, travel, and their newly blended families. After her parents moved to town, Ione and Blackie moved into the family farm home where she was raised. Blackie passed away in 2007.

Ione always had a pot of Swedish egg coffee on the stove and loved visiting with family and friends who dropped by. She only yelled when rooting on her favorite sports teams and was a great cook who loved to eat far more than indicated by her tiny frame. She was devoted to her children and many grandchildren who cherished the time spent with her at the family farm. She also loved her cats and dogs, even making them chicken soup when they weren’t feeling well. Following a series of strokes, Ione moved into Riverview Estates and lived there for several years. While there, she loved to spend time with her friend Jeff, watching music shows, documentaries, sports, and eating meals together. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Verna Lindstrom, her brothers Merle and Vern, four grandchildren, beloved cousins, and many dear friends.

Ione is survived by her daughters Susan Buffington (Randy Jirak) and Diane (Darryl) Talbott of Marquette, Lisa Christensen (Patrick Faust) of Charlevoix, Mich., the Nelson boys, Barry (Carylee), Morris (Gayle), and Linn (Lou) of Marquette and Kale (Kelly) of Fort Scott, 14 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, three nieces and her special friend, Jeff Kennedy.

Per Covid 19 regulations the family will have a private family memorial service at the Elim Lutheran Church, Marquette, Kan. at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct.14, 2020 with the Rev. Amy Kay Pavlovich officiating.  

Memorials are suggested to the Elim Lutheran Church or Riverview Estates in memory of Ione and can be sent to Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home, 222 West Euclid, McPherson, Kan. 67460.