Marian Elaine Rudolph Nelson

1927 - 2025

Marian Rudolph Nelson passed away on September 8, 2025, at the age of 98 in Napa, California. She was preceded in death by her first husband Ross William Rudolph in 1998 and by her second husband Clyde Nelson in 2016. Marian and Ross resided in their hometown of Petaluma, California until they moved to Napa in 1962. They were married over fifty years. After Ross' death, Marian returned to Petaluma when she married Clyde Nelson in 2001. Following Clyde's passing, she moved back to Napa where she resided at the Meadows until her death.

Marian graduated from San Francisco State College with a degree in education and an Elementary Education Teaching Credential. She later earned a Reading Specialist Credential. Marian began her teaching career at the age of 19 with an emergency credential just after World War II. She taught elementary school in Petaluma before her children were born. Later, she returned to teaching, working in the Napa Unified School District for over 25 years. She taught second and third grade at Pueblo Vista and Snow Schools and later worked as a reading specialist at West Park and Alta Heights Schools.

Marian saw retirement as an opportunity to be creative. She and Ross designed their dream home in Napa. When she remarried and moved to Petaluma she remodeled and decorated her new home with panache and style. She also wrote and published a children's book, "Lovina's Song" and dabbled with photography, focusing on local landscapes.

Marian had an adventurous spirit. Following her retirement, she and a longtime friend started a business called "Talking Drums". She traveled extensively to Mexico, Bali and Ghana, where she collected indigenous art and tribal musical instruments and sold them to musicians and interior decorators. For her 80th birthday she returned to Africa and treated her adult children and their spouses to a safari in Tanzania.

Marian belonged to St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Napa and St. John's Episcopal Church in Petaluma and was an active member in both congregations.

Friends were especially important to Marian. She belonged to her book group for over 25 years. Marian had many friends in the Meadows community. She was an avid bridge player and participated in many activities available at the Meadows.

Growing up as an only child, Marian always knew she wanted a big family. She is survived by her five children Rebecca Johnston (Kevin), Ross Rudolph, Jr. (Wendy), Mark Rudolph (Julie), Sally Callahan (Dennis), and Susie Deutsch (Peter), as well as eleven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

Marian will be deeply missed, but her spirit will forever remain with us all. Marian Elaine Rudolph Nelson