Obituary of Ethel M. Lawson

Ethel M. Lawson, 96, of 95 Nottingham Circle, Jamestown, died in her home on Wednesday evening, September 19, surrounded by her loving family, friends, and pets. She was the widow of the late Ivar S. Lawson, whom she married on June 22, 1940, and who died in a tragic car accident on January 19, 1968, after sharing over 27 years of marriage with Ethel. As a nearly lifelong area resident, Ethel was born March 28, 1916, in Jamestown, the daughter of the late John L. and Minnie E. (Anderson) Nelson. Ethel was a 1934 graduate of Jamestown High School. She was extremely proud of Jamestown and the surrounding area, often telling others how much she valued the friendliness and character of its people and the beauty of the area in all its seasons. A fabulous Swedish baker, she enjoyed making cookies, especially her spritz and pepparkakors, which she would share generously with others. She loved entertaining friends, reading, doing needlework and other handcrafts, and, in most recent years, spending time with her adored pets, Buddy and Rusty. She loved her friends and was happiest doing things for others, believing firmly in the Golden Rule of doing for others as you would have them do unto you. In the early 1950's, she and her husband started a tool and die-making company, L&A Tool, and a roll-forming company, Justrite Metal Products, both in Falconer. Together they operated and managed the companies until her husband's passing in 1968. A member of the Holy Trinity Lutheran branch of the Tree of Life Lutheran community, she also belonged to the Salvation Army Home League and Senior groups; Mt. Sinai-Mecca Chapter 132, Order of the Eastern Star; Norden Women's Club; Vikings; Shrine Club Auxiliary; Jamestown Scottish Rite Auxiliary; and the Marvin House Women's Group. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Donald L. Nelson, a sister, Edwina Holmquist, and her husband, Ivar S. Lawson She is survived by a daughter, Ann M. Lawson of Jamestown; a sister, Delores Nelson of Lakewood, New York; and five nephews and nieces, including Donald Nelson of Aurora, Colorado; Winanne Nelson of Manlius, New York; Janice Nelson Hayes of Sierra Madre, California; Roger Ohlson of Longview, Washington; and Robert Ohlson of Appleton, Wisconsin The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Lind Funeral Home. Major Judy Hart of the Jamestown Salvation Army will officiate. Internment will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received for one hour prior to the service Saturday in the funeral home. An Order of the Eastern Star Memorial Service will be led at 10 a.m. Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Salvation Army, PO Box368, Jamestown, NY 14701 or the Tree of Life Lutheran Community, 825 Forest Avenue, Jamestown, NY 14701. You may light a candle in remembrance of Ethel at www.lindfuneralhome.com.