Ellen Jean “Peggy” Nelson born on August 16, 1928 in Mt. Vernon, WA passed away at her home in Redmond, WA on April 1, 2016 with her loving and devoted husband Ben by her side. She was the daughter of Ellen and Elmer Ramberget of Stanwood, Washington. The nickname Peggy seemed to be a mystery as to its origin, however it was thought to be derived from “Pugga” a nickname her father had given her at a very early age. Peggy grew up in Stanwood Washington where she was very active in, and had a love of sports and music. She was involved in band beginning with the 6th grade, and played the baritone all through High School. She had a love of baseball and was an avid fan of the Seattle Rainiers where she and her friend, June Rygg, would occasionally attend games in Seattle and get autographs from the players. This love transitioned to the Mariners later in life where you could find her watching the games on T.V. or listening to them on the radio. She also had a life long passion for the game of golf—not just as a spectator, but as an avid player starting in the 7th grade when her Aunt Ann, her mother’s sister, took her golfing for the first time. Peg would later be a fierce competitor and play in a weekly 9-hole ladies group at Bellevue Municipal Golf Course, and challenge her sons up through their high school years. After high school, Peg attended Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA. where she studied education and earned her teaching certificate. She went on to teach upper elementary education in Stanwood, Richland, and Bellevue at Ashwood Elementary where the Bellevue Library now stands. During her teaching years she made many endearing lifelong friends. Peg met the love of her life in February of 1960, Bruce “Ben” Nelson, and later that same year were married on December 28, 1960. Peg and Ben lived in Bellevue where they raised their two sons. Peg was a devoted stay at home mother in the early years where she was actively involved in the lives of her sons. She managed to pass on her love of sports where you would often find her in the back yard throwing the baseball with them, shooting baskets, or coaching them up on the game and what needed to be done to get out of a slump, improve their golf stroke, or raise their batting average. She never, or hardly ever, missed a game or sporting event and you could always find her in the stands cheering them on. She would later carry that same enthusiasm for sports with her grandsons, granddaughters, and niece at their sporting events. Peg also was an avid reader and loved to read to her grandkids. She was always known to have a good book to read to them. Her love of books motivated her to volunteer with the Telephone Pioneers for several years at DSHS offering “Read to Me” kits to young mothers or mothers-to-be standing in line. The kits contained aids for the mothers to use in reading to their children. She also helped at the library located at DSHS in dispensing free used books. Peg developed a love of the Puget Sound at an early age when she would frequently visit her Aunt Cris and Uncle Will’s place at Juniper Beach on Camano Island, and attend annual 4th of July parties at Henning’s beach place. Shortly after Peg and Ben were married and had their two sons, they purchased a family beach cabin at McKee’s Beach in Stanwood. They spent many summers, weekends and vacations at “The Cabin” enjoying special times with family and friends where everyone was always welcome. Peg is survived by her husband, Ben, sons Brian (Lisa) and Kevin (Linda); grandsons Eric, Michael, and Christopher; granddaughters Abbey and Ellen (Ellie), as well as many loving nieces and nephews. On Saturday April 23, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. a Memorial Service will be held to celebrate Peg’s life. The location of the service will be in the Emerald Room of Emerald Heights retirement community in Redmond, WA (10901 176th Circle NE).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Swedish Foundation, earmarked as the Ben and Kathryn Ivy Center (Research), 747 Broadway, Seattle WA 98122-4307. Monies for this fund will be used for brain cancer research.