Edna Anna Nelson
May 11, 1913 - April 27, 2012
Obituary
Edna A. Nelson, born Edvig Anna Hoffman on May 11, 1913 in Republic, WA, was called home to the Lord on April 27, 2012 in Auburn, WA (she was two weeks shy of 99). She was predeceased by her second husband, Ralph W. Nelson; a son, George A. Mertz; four brothers, John Hoffman, Henry Murray, Michael Murray, and Steven Murray; and a sister, Mary Bourn. She is survived by four sons, William Mertz (Bev) of Auburn, Andrew C. Mertz (Dixie) of Minneapolis, MN, Thomas W. Nelson and James A. Nelson of Renton; two daughters, Bernice Gerard of Issaquah and Wanda L. Prong (Robert) of Renton; two sisters, Frances Watts of Enumclaw and Elizabeth Merrick of Federal Way (Edna was the eldest of 10 children); 14 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.
Mom will be remembered as a loving mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She was a quiet and caring woman of faith. She regularly attended St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Renton and studied the Bible. She was the family historian and thoroughly researched and documented her family’s Polish genealogy. She leaves an inspiring legacy of overcoming life’s hardships and heartaches, documented in her handwritten memoirs (My Life Story) that she hand-copied for each of her seven children. Mom worked hard all her life, beginning with caring for her younger siblings, her first paying job at age 11 of collecting eggs and performing household chores on a neighboring farm, and working like a ranch hand on the family farm. If it needed doing, Mom just did it, long before Nike came up with the slogan “Just Do It.”
Mom led by example. She worked alongside her children picking blueberries and other crops in the summer, matching them dollar for dollar to buy school clothes. She taught them that life is not fair (not everyone gets to lick the cake batter from the spoon or bowl), to share with and care for others (no matter how little Mom had, she always donated to canned food drives and gave each of her children a few cents to put in the collection plate on Sunday), and she taught them to pray (kneeling beside them for bedtime prayers, at church services, and sending them to Catechism and Bible School). Mom volunteered many times, going door to door with a child or two in tow, collecting for various charities. She enjoyed being a Brownie troop leader for several years and developed a fondness for each girl as though her own. Mom especially enjoyed teaching the girls craft projects. Her meager home was most always filled with the aroma of fresh baked bread and rolls, cinnamon buns, and cake–a child’s delight.
Mom was industrious. Among her many talents were embroidery, appliqué, quilting, oil painting, gardening, handcrafts, baking, genealogy research, and correspondence. She had a gift for creating unique color combinations and leaves behind many beautifully embroidered pieces, oil paintings, and quilts. Mom also enjoyed sewing. The steady hum and clack of her treadle sewing machine (on which she taught her daughters to sew) could often be heard throughout the house. Her homemade bread and rolls were legendary. A holiday meal wasn’t complete without them.
In her golden years, Mom was active in the Renton Senior Center band, where she played rhythm instruments (mariachis and tambourine) in performances all over the area. She also enjoyed adventures with a friend who owned a travel trailer, and spent some winters in the warm climate of Mexico and the U.S. Southwest, where she made new friends and corresponded with them regularly. Mom loved writing down recipes, scrapbooking her mementos, and documenting her travels.
Mom was well loved and well cared for by family throughout her long life and in her final years. Heaven will rejoice as she is welcomed home. “God bless you, Mom. We miss you.”
Private graveside services for the family at Washington Memorial Cemetery, SeaTac, WA.
A memorial service for the public will be conducted at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Renton, date and time to be determined.
she was a great human being and wow what a long life she had . but just think there is no more pain for her and would say that her new life is just starting for her with her lord and she is a peace now.
I would like to express my deepest sympathy for the loss of your loved one. Death is one of the most difficult things we face in life but may it comfort you to know that others care. I have found great encouragement when reading the beautiful words penned in the Bible at Isaiah 25:8 “He will swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces.” May this promise bring your family comfort in this difficult time.