Marlys Nelson

Marlys Shirley LaMae Nelson (Peterson) was born February 5, 1929, in Jamestown, North Dakota, to Ellsworth and Ida (Oakland) Peterson. Her family moved from Jamestown to Washburn, then to Lewisburg and Nashville, Tennessee, before settling in Centerville, South Dakota. It was here that the roots of her life, family, and traditions would be firmly stitched together.

She graduated from Centerville High School in 1947. Following graduation, she attended Sioux Falls College to earn her teaching certificate and began her career teaching at a country school in Turner County until her marriage.

On February 24, 1952, Marlys married her high school sweetheart, Noble Nelson Jr., at Scandia Lutheran Church. After Noble’s deployment to Korea, the couple made their home in Centerville, where they raised their two daughters, Julie and Betty, building a life centered on family, faith, and care for others.

Marlys was a woman who stayed busy and wore many hats throughout her life. She took great pride in her work and often shared stories of her time at the local drugstore and her trips with Home Interiors. She was actively involved in numerous organizations, including the Centerville American Legion Auxiliary, Scandia Ladies Aid, Model Miss Extension Club, and was a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary and Scandia Lutheran Church. Wherever she was involved, she had a way of bringing people together, much like the careful, steady work she became known for.

Marlys and Noble cherished time with family and the trips they took together, especially at their vacation home in Minnesota, and then later at Lake Andes, South Dakota. They spent many winters in McAllen, Texas, where they built lasting friendships, made many memories, and always returned home with plenty of “gifts” for their grandkids.

She was known for her warm hospitality; her kitchen was always busy, the cookies were on the table, and the coffee was always on. She enjoyed making treats for her guests, including krumkake, peanut brittle, and pies. Marlys was also a gifted quilter and a proud member of the Scandia quilters. Over the years, she created countless quilts, including many senior quilts and special gifts for family and friends. Each piece was thoughtfully made, often with a person or purpose in mind, reflecting the same care, patience, and attention she gave to those she loved.

Though her memory faded in later years, her love and smile remained. The legacy she stitched into the lives of her family through time spent together, traditions carried on, and the quilts she so carefully made will continue to bring comfort and connection for generations to come.

Marlys was granted her angel wings and received into her Savior’s arms on March 30, 2026, at the age of 97. She was reunited with her husband; her parents; her sisters, Eldonna (Ronnie) Bartlett and Priscilla (Richard “Dick”) Landsman; her brother, Doyle “Buddy” (Claire) Peterson; her parents-in-law, Noble and Ida Nelson; her brother-in-law, Allen Nelson; and her sisters-in-law, Delores (Chet) Hult and Margie (Wayne) Ebsen.

She is survived by her two daughters, Julie (Arden “Pete”) Junker and Betty (Ernest “Dale”) Johnson, both of Centerville, South Dakota; her brother, Ron (Jenny) Peterson of Vermillion, South Dakota; five grandchildren: Jamie Jo Johnson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; JuLynn (Clint) Perry and Jessica (Tony) Pingrey, both of Centerville, South Dakota; Braden (Andrea) Junker of Canton, South Dakota; and Jenny (Cody) Huisken of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; ten great-grandchildren: Christian Perry, Brooke Pingrey, Gunner Pingrey, Isaiah Perry, Kate Junker, Elleanor Huisken, Mara Junker, Everson Huisken, Emmitt Huisken, and Sadie Junker; one great-great-grandchild on the way; and many loved nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Marlys will be 5-7PM Sunday, April 5, 2026 in the fellowship hall at Scandia Lutheran Church, 251 Broadway Street, Centerville, SD with a 7PM prayer service. Funeral service is 2PM Monday, April 6th at Scandia Lutheran Church. If you have a quilt made by Marlys, the family welcomes you to bring it and hang it over your pew in her honor.