Ruth Nelson, 69

Nov. 19, 1948 —

May 12, 2018

 

Cresco - Ruth E. Nelson, age 69, of Cresco, Iowa passed away Saturday, May 12, 2018 at Mercy Hospital of North Iowa in Mason City, Iowa. 

Graveside services will be held at 11:15 a.m. on Friday, May 18, 2018 at New Oregon Cemetery, rural Cresco. A memorial visitation will be Friday from 10-11 a.m. at Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco.

Ruth Emma Peden was born Nov. 19, 1948 in Cresco, the daughter of Albert and Caroline (Cleveland) Peden. During high school she participated in the Upward Bound program at Luther College. She graduated from Cresco High School in 1967. 

Following high school, Ruth took classes at Mason City, UNI in Cedar Falls and Interior Design courses at NICC in Calmar. She also worked as a nanny in Deerfield, Ill. and at Holub’s Greenhouse in Cresco. For a few years, Ruth worked at Walmart in Decorah and as a telemarketer in New Hampton and Decorah. 

She was an Avon lady for 41 years, starting in 1976, and enjoyed the many customers she served over the years. She continued to sell Avon even when her health declined. Then her sister, Gert, helped with ordering and delivering the items to her cherished customers. 

Ruth was a member of the 1st Baptist Church in Cresco until it closed in 2010. 

She was married to Terry Nelson in April 1974 at 1st Baptist Church in Cresco, they were later divorced.

The last several years, as Ruth’s health declined, Gert was always there to help her out. 

Ruth is survived by her sister, Gertrude ‘Gert’ Wheeler of Cresco, as well as her many Avon customers. 

She was preceded in death by her former husband, Terry Nelson; her mother, Caroline Wheeler; her father, Albert Peden; and her stepfather, John Wheeler.