Obituary of Catherine Nelson

Catherine Nelson, age 88, passed away December 16, 2015 at Country Care in Othello Washington. She was born and raised in Puyallup, Washington, until her parents, Maude and Floyed Ruggles, moved to Ocosta, Washington, in 1939 where she started the 8th grade. She graduated from Ocosta High School, and always spoke fondly of the friends she made their. In 1945 she attended college in Bellingham for a year then later she moved to Aberdeen, where she worked at Pacific North Bell in 1946. In October 1947 she married the love of her life Chester Nelson, who was a submarine sailor during WWII. Together they had four beautiful children. During most of her life her family moved around a lot, including Grays Harbor and Carson, making lots of friends and meeting wonderful people. She was involved with the VFW, and reack. She enjoyed gardening, painting, and swimming at the YMCA, but most of all she loved spending time with her friends and family. She will be dearly missed. She was survived by her children: John (Ellen) Nelson of Dayton, Texas, Mike (Bonnie) Nelson of Pasco, Washington, Cathy (Richard) Rydman of Othello, Washington, and her brother, Floyd Ruggles of Ocosta, Washington, she is also survived by numerous grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, and her husband Chester, and her daughter Sue Nelson, her siblings; Arta Wade, Uncle Bill Wade, and Claudia Poole. Memorial Contributions are suggested in Catherine’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 pm, January 23, 2016, at the Ocosta Rec. Hall. To leave an online condolence to the family, please visit our website at www.stevensfc.com.