Obituary of Ethelyn C. Nelson

Ethelyn C. Nelson, 98, of Brookdale, Lakewood, formerly of Rockville, MD, died Thursday December 17, 2015, in Heritage Green Rehab and Skilled Nursing. Ethelyn was born October 27, 1917, in Jamestown, a daughter of the late John and Hilma Larson Nelson. She was a 1935 graduate of Jamestown High School, known as the Orphan Class, for the current high school was being constructed then. In 1940 she graduated as a registered nurse from Swedish Covenant Hospital, Chicago, IL. Joining the US Navy in 1943, she received her boot camp training at the Simpson Naval Center near Ithaca, NY. Following WWII she left the Navy for a short time, but was recalled in 1950 for the Korean War and also served during the Vietnam Conflict. Following 23 years of service she retired from in Navy in 1973 having achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander. After retirement she began volunteering at the Kennedy Center Gift Shop for 20 years and for 25 years held a position in the White House Greeting Office. She was a long time member of Thule Lodge, Scandinavian Heritage Foundation, First Covenant Church and North Bethesda United Methodist Church. Surviving are cousins Richard (Ruby) Gustafson of Lakewood, Lillian Chapman of Jamestown, Kathleen (Curtis) Newman of Beavercreek, OH, Diane Reichel of Kettering, OH, Cindy (William) Jones of Wrentham, MA, John (Marilyn) Sundeen of Lakewood and Sandra Sundeen of Severna Park, MD. She was preceded in death by her father in 1975, her mother in 1960 and a sister Dorothy who died at age 10. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in Soldier's Circle of Lake View Cemetery. Rev. Luke F. Foder will officiate. Visitation will not be observed. Memorials may be made to Hospice Chautauqua County, 20 W. Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, NY 14750. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com