Ruth Mary Nelson

Ruth Mary Nelson passed away on October 14th, at Regency Nursing Center in Omak, Washington after a fall in her home which took her for a week-long stay in Wenatchee and a final stay at Regency. Her family was close by showing their love the entire time.
Ruth looked forward to being with her Lord and seeing her late husband of over 60 years, Linvel.
Born Ruth Mary Sines in Brewster, Washington on September 9, 1926 to Gladys and Calvin Sines, she joined a family of ten children. She was raised with her four sisters and five brothers on a farm on Paradise Hill in Brewster, WA. She went to all twelve grades of school, and graduated from Brewster High School in 1945. As the world was at war, many of her brothers and classmates left school to fight. Her graduation class consisted of eleven students.
She met and married her first and only love Linvel E. Nelson who worked for the PUD. After having their first child, Chester Douglas Nelson the PUD transferred the family to Okanogan where Ruth and Linvel had two more children, Richard Lee Nelson, and Mary Marlene (Nelson) Farrens. They raised their children, and loved Okanogan. They worked to support the schools and community and participated in community projects including United Presbyterian Church and the Okanogan Fire Department. Linvel would start a project and Ruth would help finish it. Examples of this include signs for the Church and Fire Department, as well as the round garbage containers scattered around town. These are just the visible creations- many more are there, but unseen by most citizens.
She lived a very full life of 99 years. Up until a week before her death she still lived at her home (with her three kitties) taking care of going shopping, doing laundry and getting her hair done on a weekly basis. (Her family filled in when they realized it was too unsafe for her to do on her own, but she tried to go around us most of the time.) She enjoyed her independence and fought those who tried to take it away from her. Part of her independence was her love of going for rides with her daughter, Marlene, taking in her beloved Tiffany Mountains and seeing "what's new" around Omak and Okanogan. She lived in Okanogan for over 70 years and enjoyed membership in several organizations including the Presbyterian Church, Children's Orthopedic Hospital Guild, and Okanogan County Artisans, where she enjoyed painting and drawing. She loved her family, her friends, her yard and her animals. She was particularly loyal to her friends at Simply Stylin beauty shop in Omak where she looked forward to her weekly visits.
Ruth was also a loyal friend. It was important to her to keep in touch with her loved ones, sharing what was going on and enjoying their stories of their lives. She would write letters (a talent all-but forgotten in today's time) and call on the phone. She had a contest with several as to who would get their Christmas Cards out first. It was always the highlight of her week when she would get word from her loved ones and she would share it with anyone who would listen. Those of you who got some of these calls and letters (and you know who you are) just know that her family thanks you with all their hearts for helping make her life brighter.
She was the ultimate babysitter. After raising her own children, two of her three children stayed in the Okanogan/Omak area and started families. When each parent decided to work outside the home, she volunteered to babysit. It was her way of keeping them close and making some "pin money" on the side. Her grandchildren included Mike and Kristina Farrens (Marlene) and Catrina and Jason Nelson (Richard). When Chester and Sandy Nelson's children, Douglas and Anna, visited from the coast, they would join the brood of kids which were always loud and hungry. She also babysat her good friends Les and Karen Perfect's children, Tawnya and Sandra until they moved, keeping in touch with Tawnya throughout many years since.
For a lady that was only 5'1", she always seemed to have a lot of energy and be in control. She was amazing!
She is survived by her son Chester Nelson and daughter-in-law Sandy, (grand daughter Anna Nelson) Omak, grand daughter Katrina Frey and husband Jacob (great grandchildren Cassie, Max and Edison) Florida, daughter Marlene Farrens (Grandchildren Michael, and Kristina McIntosh, and great grandson Ryder McIntosh) Okanogan.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Linvel, her son Richard Lee Nelson, Grandsons Jason Lee Nelson and Douglas Wayne Nelson and Son-in-law, Vernon Alan Farrens.
Her family of 10 are all gone now, but they leave a large number of nieces and nephews scattered throughout the nation. She was very happy to keep in touch with some of these. This included Carol and Greg Schultz of Ocean Shores, Washington, who brought a lot of joy with their calls and pictures.
Also preceding her was many of Linvel's family who also included many brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews. Still surviving are Cheryl and Mike Allen of Newport, WA who remain close and much loved.
A funeral service is planned for Saturday November 1st 2025 at the Okanogan Presbyterian Church, 429 West Oak St, Okanogan, WA at 11:00 a.m. A brief internment at the Okanogan Cemetery after, followed by a reception, sharing food and memories at the Okanogan Eagles. Inn lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Seattle Children's Hospital or the charity of your choice.
The family appreciates all the help and support given by the Okanogan Presbyterian Church, Pastor Stan Newton, the Okanogan Eagles, and the River Valley Funeral Home