Marianne Ingrid Ruffel Nelson

Marianne Ingrid Ruffel Nelson, Glenburn Twp., died Friday at Mercy Hospice. She was the wife of Bengt T. Nelson, who died Aug. 22, 2003. The couple had been married for 48 years.

Born in Ullanger, Sweden, daughter of the late Bertil Per and Maria "Maja" Berggren Ruffel, she was a graduate of the Red Cross School for Nurses in Lulea, Sweden. She came to the U.S. in 1967, living in Kennewick, Wash. She moved to Northeast Pennsylvania in 1975 when her husband accepted a position with Sandvik Steel.

Marianne was a member of the Visiting Nurses Association, where she served as a board member. She was an active volunteer at the Waverly Community House and the Attic Shop. She initiated a program in conjunction with the Rotary Club of the Abingtons and the U.S. Naturalization Service of welcoming new citizens to this country. In 2006, she was the recipient of the Rotary Four Way Test Award in recognition of this service. An extremely active person who loved the outdoors, Marianne walked six to seven miles a day with her friends and her dog, Pierre. She loved to travel and returned to Sweden three to four times a year. She enjoyed a large circle of friends and was always helpful and willing to do for others without hesitation.

Surviving are two daughters, Ulla Nelson and husband, Dr. Seth Jones, Waverly; Susanne Memolo and husband, Dr. Mark Memolo, Charlotte, N.C.; a son, Dr. Anders Per Nelson, Waverly; and seven grandchildren, Isabella and Camilla Jones, Maya and Jack Memolo and Alexandra, Sasha and Ryan Nelson.

A graveside service will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at Hickory Grove Cemetery in Waverly. The family will also receive friends at the home of Dr. Anders Nelson, 1006 Forest Glen Circle, Waverly (off Waverly Road) from 2 to 5. Those planning to attend these celebrations of Marianne's life are asked to wear something colorful in honor of her extraordinary life.

Memorials may go to the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, 967 Griffin Pond Road, Clarks Summit, PA 18411. Arrangements by Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit.