Ruth Nyda Nelson

Ruth Nyda Nelson, 84, longtime Moses Lake resident went home to be with her Lord and Savior on June 23, 2007, in Boone, N.C., while visiting relatives.

A service celebrating her life will be held Friday, July 6, at 2 p.m. at the Assembly of God Church with Pastor Devon Wood officiating. This will be preceded by a committal service at the Ephrata Cemetery at 12:30 p.m. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel and Crematory, Moses Lake.

Ruth was born March 15, 1923, in Camas, Wash., to Frank and Alice (Bollen) Rohlinger and was the fourth of seven children. Due to her father's job change from a lumber company to the Milwaukee Railroad, the family relocated in Othello. After a short stay in Othello, the family moved in 1934 to Neppel (later named Moses Lake). As a child the family took many trips on the train to Seattle, Spokane, Montana and even took the train to get to picnics.

Upon graduation from Moses Lake High School in a class of nine students, she worked as a local telephone operator. Since she worked nights and walked to work, the sheriff would escort her safely home. Later Ruth attended Northwest University and nurse's training at Whitworth College in Spokane.

In 1945, Ruth met Airman Wesley Nelson stationed at Larson Air Base in Moses Lake. After a courtship, Wes and Ruth were married in Moses Lake at the Presbyterian Church. Following the ceremony, they were wheeled down Broadway Ave. in a wheelbarrow by their friends.

Ruth retired from Samaritan Hospital after working 27 years. She was a charter member and active in her church for 75 years, taught Sunday school for 30 years, sang in the choir and attended church and Bible study regularly. She loved to travel and enjoyed being with her family and friends.

Ruth was very proud of her family and is survived by two daughters: Carmon (Rev. Dean) Wilson of Yakima, Wash.; Marsha Nelson of Moses Lake: three sons: Steven (Sue) Nelson of Spokane; Rodney (Cindy) Nelson of Lynnwood, Wash.; and Keith (Suzie) Nelson of Covington, Wash.; eight grandchildren: Michael (Shawn) Wilson, Shannon Wilson, Matthew Wilson; Wesley Nelson, Christine Nelson Walters; Miranda, Kyle and Bethany Nelson; and five great-grandchildren: Autumn and Braiden Wilson, Brendan and Cayden Wilson, and Hallie Ruth Walters; brother: Howard (Eunice) Rohlinger; sister: Norma (Magellan) Brunson; sister-in-law: Viola Rohlinger; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Wesley Nelson in 1964, her parents Frank and Alice Rohlinger, brothers: Francis and Calvin Rohlinger, sisters: Nyda (infant) and Betty Colee; brother-in-law Forrest Colee and four half- brothers: Howard, Leo, Raymond and Sylvester Rohlinger.

Memorials may be made to the Foreign Missions Dept. at the Moses Lake Assembly of God Church, 431 E. Brown, Moses Lake, WA 98837.