Ruth Maxine Nelson, 86, died Thursday, August 7, 2014 at Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, CO.
She was born February 26, 1928 in Alliance, Nebraska to Fred D. and Ruth (Marcum) Blazier.
She married Raymond E. Nelson on June 29, 1947 in Alliance. They were married for 63 years.
She was a member of the First Christian Church and the Alliance Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary. She enjoyed being a homemaker, but also worked for Jack & Jill Grocery for 18 years.
In her younger days, Maxine was quite the pool shark, beating most everyone she played, including her husband, who taught her how to play. She also really enjoyed playing cards, and was quite good at Pitch and Scat, a family tradition. Her family loved her homemade vanilla ice cream, which she brought to almost every family function. They also loved her devilled eggs and T.V. snacks.
She spent hours going through catalogs, ordering little gadgets, putting puzzles together and doing crossword puzzles. She was very independent, living in her own home and still driving her car. Maxine’s greatest pleasure was her “littlest child” and sidekick, Tiko, her cockapoo dog. He was much more spoiled than any of her children ever were.
She is survived by her daughters, Sherry Libsack and Carolyn Lehl of Alliance, and Sandie Maser of Lincoln; her grandchildren, Scott (Madeline) Lehl, Laurie Esmeier, Michael (Daylin) Libsack, Steve (Kris) Lehl, Chris Maser, and Ryan (Kelly) Libsack; 10 great grandchildren; and her nephew, Michael Stilley of Mesquite, NV.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ray, and her sisters, Wilma Stilley and Dorothy Jean Bunner.
Memorial services will be held Thursday, August 14, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the Bates-Gould Chapel. Pastor Kent Steinke will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to the First Christian Church or the Alliance Volunteer Fire Department.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.