Lydia Wiedmann Nelson

Lydia passed away on June 24, 2011 at the age of 97. Born in 1914 on the family homestead in North Dakota, she was a resident of Seattle for 62 years. Lydia experienced a lively and interesting childhood as one of 8 siblings in a German family operating a hardware store in the tiny town of Venturia. She was bright, generous, active, and interested in the world around her. She valued true friends and had a keen sense of justice. She had a very personal and lifelong faith in God. Lydia married Ned Nelson and together they raised three children. A teacher in her younger years, she led the absentee ballot and voter registration sections at the King County Department of Records and Elections when she returned to employment. She retired in 1980. Following her retirement came years of enjoyment as a grandparent, traveling with friends and family, gardening, watching baseball games, doing crossword puzzles, and political activism as a member of the National Organization for Women. Lydia delighted in the enjoyment of others, sewing clothes for little nieces and nephews and children up and down the street. Her after school cinnamon rolls were legendary. Her home was a home away from home for countless young relatives over the years, each needing a temporary place to live for a different reason. Lydia was a stellar grandmother. She fully enjoyed, participated in, and inspired the lives of five grandchildren. She considered her children and grandchildren the best experience of her life. Lydia is survived by her daughters Ritajane Boyce (David) and Carolyn Boatsman (Mark), her grandchildren Benjamin Boyce (Kelcey), Suzanne Boyce, Eric Boyce, Matthew Boyce (Martha), and Robert Boatsman, and her great grandchildren Alex and Lucy Boyce. She is predeceased by her husband Ned Nelson, her son Donald Nelson, and seven siblings. Lydia, we love you and we miss you but you are here in our hearts and memories! Private interment is at Washington Memorial Park on Sunday, July 10, 2011. Celebration of life following. Please call 206-529-3800 for information. For a more detailed obituary see www.funerals.coop If you would like to donate to a charitable cause in Lydia’s honor, two of her favorites were the Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 5371/S-200, Seattle WA 98145-5005 and KCTS Public Television, 401 Mercer ST, Seattle, WA 98109.

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