Mae Nelson

Mae Louise Nelson of McPherson, KS passed away January 31, 2024, at Bethesda Home, Goessel, KS. Mae was born on December 3, 1941. She was the third child of Otto J. and Martha C. (Schmidt) Unruh. She was born at Bethesda Mennonite Hospital and grew up on a farm near Goessel, KS. Her parents lived on several rental farms around Goessel and eventually moved to her father's family farm east of Goessel.

Mae attended Goessel High School graduating in 1960. She went on to nurse’s training at Bethany Hospital School of Nursing in Kansas City, KS. Upon graduating and working at the Goessel Clinic, she met her future husband, Dean Nelson, while he was a patient under her care. Mae and Dean were married at Trinity Lutheran Church in McPherson, KS on November 27, 1964. Two sons were born to them, Noel and Christopher. Mae was a stay-at-home mom for the first part of her sons’ lives. She returned to work at McPherson Memorial Hospital and was an Evening Charge Nurse in the medical surgical area for 16 years. She then went on to work in the office of Dr. Watson for five years as a Staff Nurse before retiring from nursing. 

Mae enjoyed traveling, including a trip to Scandinavia with her husband and to the Ukraine with her brother and sisters. She also enjoyed visiting her children and grandchildren in Denver and Kansas City and attending her grandchildren’s events. She enjoyed attending lecture series at Bethel College and was an avid reader. 

She is survived by her children Noel (Laura) Nelson of Denver, CO, Christopher (Kathleen) Nelson of Leawood, KS; grandchildren Mitchell and Madeline of Boulder, CO, Landon and Gavin of Leawood, KS; brother Robert (Connie) Unruh of Newton, KS; sister Elaine (John) Ratzlaff of Buhler, KS. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dean Nelson; parents, Otto and Martha Unruh; sister Bonnie (Lowell) Heinrichs and infant twin brothers. 

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, February 9, 2024, at Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460. 

Donations can be made to the Mennonite Central Committee in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.