Obituary of Merritt Doty Nelson

Born May 25, 1917 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin to Bruce and Sadie Nelson. Merritt moved to Des Moines, Iowa and graduated from Roosevelt High School. From there to Tacoma and attended College of Puget Sound. He married Marjorie Schwalen in 1942 and entered the U.S. Army that year. He took part in the Battle of the Bulge receiving the Bronze Star. In 1958 he took a branch of his father’s business and developed Merritt Nelson Construction Co. where he installed and repaired sewers and septic tanks. After twenty-six years he retired. He was an active member in Home Builders Construction, Sitz Mark Ski Lodge at Crystal Mountain, Rotary Number 8 where he attended over 50 years of meetings, Tacoma Elks, Fircrest Golf Club, St. Nicholas and St. Charles Borromeo Church. He loved to ski and prided himself on teaching his children and grandsons the love of snow skiing. He spent many years at his vacation home on Lake Tanwax gardening and remodeling and water skiing. Later he enjoyed many retirement winters with his late wife Marjorie enjoying family and friends in Palm Desert at their residence. Merritt and Marjorie leave four children, Stephanie husband, Ted Goodyear,AZ, Bruce Mill Valley, CA, Lee wife, LeslieHailey, Idaho; Keith wife, Mary Ellen Eugene, Oregon; three grandsons and two great grandchildren. Memorial Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Monday 9AM 7112 S. 12th Tacoma. Donations can be made to Franciscan Hospice 2901 Bridgeport Way West University Place, WA 98466 Arrangements by Edwards Memorial Center, 253-566-1008.