Marion Irene (Hyer) Nelson Russell passed away from natural causes on April 5, 2022 surrounded by family members and friends. There will be a memorial service on May 15th at Stockett Community Bible Church. Marion's body will be placed to rest near her Dad and Mom and childhood home in Polson later this summer.
Marion was born on July 5, 1928, in San Diego, California to Harold & Irene Hyer. She was their only child. During the Great Depression and having lost their house due to the inability to pay taxes, her family decided to move to Montana in hopes of finding work on Kerr Dam near Polson. The work on Kerr Dam never materialized, but the family stayed and lived on Finley Point north of Polson on Flathead Lake. Marion's family retained the second of two homes they built until her father passed away in the 1970s. Marion's early years were filled with time on Flathead Lake and the woods of Finley Point and the surrounding area. She learned to play the violin early in her life which she continued almost up to her death.
Marion attended Polson High School and was the valedictorian of her class in 1946. She then attended Montana State College in Bozeman to study nursing. She graduated with a nursing degree in 1950. She was always a proud Bobcat and enjoyed a spirited Griz – Cat rivalry with her son, Ron. She was proud to have attended the last Griz – Cat game held on the Divide in Butte in 1951 even though the Grizzlies won.
Marion finished her nursing degree and began her nursing career at Montana Deaconess Hospital in Great Falls where she met and married Keith Nelson. In 1957, Keith & Marion moved to Bozeman where Marion, who loved to teach, began her career as a nursing instructor at Montana State. In 1959, they had their first child. He was followed by 4 more boys. The family built a home in the country on Middle Creek between Bozeman and Belgrade. The boys attend school in Belgrade. There are fond memories of using an outdoor toilet in the winter before the house was finished, fishing and swimming in Middle Creek and the irrigation streams that flowed through the property, building forts out of fallen trees, riding horses and having unique pets like skunks and magpies. Although she was an only child, Mom adapted well to a house full of five boys and made everything a fun and learning experience.
The family moved back to Great Falls in 1970. Marion eventually became a nursing instructor at Great Falls Vo-Tech, now Great Falls College MSU. She quickly became the head of the Health Occupations Department and in 1984 was the Montana Vo-Tech teacher of the year. She and Keith divorced in 1978, and he died in 1983. Marion took a position with the Red River Area Vocational Technical School in Duncan Oklahoma in 1975 until 1985 when she returned to Great Falls. She served as the Executive Director of the Licensed Practical Nursing Association from 1991 to 1997. She eventually retired completely in 1998. Throughout her work life, Marion always sought to serve her profession. She served on many boards and committees, typically in leadership roles. She reviewed and published several articles, manuals, and other publications. She was a tireless advocate of effective and efficient delivery of patient care and the healthcare / nursing profession.
In 2003, Marion married Jack Russell, one of her and her family's oldest and closest friends. Jack and his wife Delores, who passed away in 2000, had been friends with Marion and Keith since the early days of their marriages. Their children were raised together even to the extent that each parent had permission, which was utilized, to discipline any child within the two families. Jack passed away in 2016. To quote Jack's obituary, when Jack and Marion married "these dear friends became a family."
Marion was never inactive. All throughout her life she played her violin for enjoyment and as a member of her college symphony, the Great Falls Symphony, the Lawton Oklahoma Symphony as well as regularly playing and singing with others at church. She played in special series of a Montana wide Summer Symphony comprised of selected artists from symphony orchestras from throughout Montana. Even just recently, Marion played Christmas Carols on her violin at the BeeHive Christmas party.
Mom was a pillar of faith, hope, joy, humility, and kindness. She held firm in her faith and always understood that she was a work in progress, Philippians 1:6, and that through faith all things would work together for good, Romans 8:28. She always had an inner joy manifested with her smile and kind words. When there were unexpected guests for a meal, she welcomed them and "put a little more water in the soup" so everyone had a share. She was always willing and anxious to help others. Her students frequently described her as a demanding but fair teacher and praised her for commitment to their lives and education and service to others. Many of her students were lifelong friends. She was committed to excellence and to helping others achieve excellence. She has surely been greeted to her eternal home with the words, "Well Done, My Good and Faithful Servant!"
Marion is survived by her children and their families.
Complete obituary published in the Great Falls Tribune on April 17, 2022
Marion was born on July 5, 1928, in San Diego, California to Harold & Irene Hyer. She was their only child. During the Great Depression and having lost their house due to the inability to pay taxes, her family decided to move to Montana in hopes of finding work on Kerr Dam near Polson. The work on Kerr Dam never materialized, but the family stayed and lived on Finley Point north of Polson on Flathead Lake. Marion's family retained the second of two homes they built until her father passed away in the 1970s. Marion's early years were filled with time on Flathead Lake and the woods of Finley Point and the surrounding area. She learned to play the violin early in her life which she continued almost up to her death.
Marion attended Polson High School and was the valedictorian of her class in 1946. She then attended Montana State College in Bozeman to study nursing. She graduated with a nursing degree in 1950. She was always a proud Bobcat and enjoyed a spirited Griz – Cat rivalry with her son, Ron. She was proud to have attended the last Griz – Cat game held on the Divide in Butte in 1951 even though the Grizzlies won.
Marion finished her nursing degree and began her nursing career at Montana Deaconess Hospital in Great Falls where she met and married Keith Nelson. In 1957, Keith & Marion moved to Bozeman where Marion, who loved to teach, began her career as a nursing instructor at Montana State. In 1959, they had their first child. He was followed by 4 more boys. The family built a home in the country on Middle Creek between Bozeman and Belgrade. The boys attend school in Belgrade. There are fond memories of using an outdoor toilet in the winter before the house was finished, fishing and swimming in Middle Creek and the irrigation streams that flowed through the property, building forts out of fallen trees, riding horses and having unique pets like skunks and magpies. Although she was an only child, Mom adapted well to a house full of five boys and made everything a fun and learning experience.
The family moved back to Great Falls in 1970. Marion eventually became a nursing instructor at Great Falls Vo-Tech, now Great Falls College MSU. She quickly became the head of the Health Occupations Department and in 1984 was the Montana Vo-Tech teacher of the year. She and Keith divorced in 1978, and he died in 1983. Marion took a position with the Red River Area Vocational Technical School in Duncan Oklahoma in 1975 until 1985 when she returned to Great Falls. She served as the Executive Director of the Licensed Practical Nursing Association from 1991 to 1997. She eventually retired completely in 1998. Throughout her work life, Marion always sought to serve her profession. She served on many boards and committees, typically in leadership roles. She reviewed and published several articles, manuals, and other publications. She was a tireless advocate of effective and efficient delivery of patient care and the healthcare / nursing profession.
In 2003, Marion married Jack Russell, one of her and her family's oldest and closest friends. Jack and his wife Delores, who passed away in 2000, had been friends with Marion and Keith since the early days of their marriages. Their children were raised together even to the extent that each parent had permission, which was utilized, to discipline any child within the two families. Jack passed away in 2016. To quote Jack's obituary, when Jack and Marion married "these dear friends became a family."
Marion was never inactive. All throughout her life she played her violin for enjoyment and as a member of her college symphony, the Great Falls Symphony, the Lawton Oklahoma Symphony as well as regularly playing and singing with others at church. She played in special series of a Montana wide Summer Symphony comprised of selected artists from symphony orchestras from throughout Montana. Even just recently, Marion played Christmas Carols on her violin at the BeeHive Christmas party.
Mom was a pillar of faith, hope, joy, humility, and kindness. She held firm in her faith and always understood that she was a work in progress, Philippians 1:6, and that through faith all things would work together for good, Romans 8:28. She always had an inner joy manifested with her smile and kind words. When there were unexpected guests for a meal, she welcomed them and "put a little more water in the soup" so everyone had a share. She was always willing and anxious to help others. Her students frequently described her as a demanding but fair teacher and praised her for commitment to their lives and education and service to others. Many of her students were lifelong friends. She was committed to excellence and to helping others achieve excellence. She has surely been greeted to her eternal home with the words, "Well Done, My Good and Faithful Servant!"
Marion is survived by her children and their families.
Complete obituary published in the Great Falls Tribune on April 17, 2022
Marion Irene (Hyer) Nelson Russell passed away from natural causes on April 5, 2022 surrounded by family members and friends. There will be a memorial service on May 15th at Stockett Community Bible Church. Marion's body will be placed to rest near her Dad and Mom and childhood home in Polson later this summer.
Marion was born on July 5, 1928, in San Diego, California to Harold & Irene Hyer. She was their only child. During the Great Depression and having lost their house due to the inability to pay taxes, her family decided to move to Montana in hopes of finding work on Kerr Dam near Polson. The work on Kerr Dam never materialized, but the family stayed and lived on Finley Point north of Polson on Flathead Lake. Marion's family retained the second of two homes they built until her father passed away in the 1970s. Marion's early years were filled with time on Flathead Lake and the woods of Finley Point and the surrounding area. She learned to play the violin early in her life which she continued almost up to her death.
Marion attended Polson High School and was the valedictorian of her class in 1946. She then attended Montana State College in Bozeman to study nursing. She graduated with a nursing degree in 1950. She was always a proud Bobcat and enjoyed a spirited Griz – Cat rivalry with her son, Ron. She was proud to have attended the last Griz – Cat game held on the Divide in Butte in 1951 even though the Grizzlies won.
Marion finished her nursing degree and began her nursing career at Montana Deaconess Hospital in Great Falls where she met and married Keith Nelson. In 1957, Keith & Marion moved to Bozeman where Marion, who loved to teach, began her career as a nursing instructor at Montana State. In 1959, they had their first child. He was followed by 4 more boys. The family built a home in the country on Middle Creek between Bozeman and Belgrade. The boys attend school in Belgrade. There are fond memories of using an outdoor toilet in the winter before the house was finished, fishing and swimming in Middle Creek and the irrigation streams that flowed through the property, building forts out of fallen trees, riding horses and having unique pets like skunks and magpies. Although she was an only child, Mom adapted well to a house full of five boys and made everything a fun and learning experience.
The family moved back to Great Falls in 1970. Marion eventually became a nursing instructor at Great Falls Vo-Tech, now Great Falls College MSU. She quickly became the head of the Health Occupations Department and in 1984 was the Montana Vo-Tech teacher of the year. She and Keith divorced in 1978, and he died in 1983. Marion took a position with the Red River Area Vocational Technical School in Duncan Oklahoma in 1975 until 1985 when she returned to Great Falls. She served as the Executive Director of the Licensed Practical Nursing Association from 1991 to 1997. She eventually retired completely in 1998. Throughout her work life, Marion always sought to serve her profession. She served on many boards and committees, typically in leadership roles. She reviewed and published several articles, manuals, and other publications. She was a tireless advocate of effective and efficient delivery of patient care and the healthcare / nursing profession.
In 2003, Marion married Jack Russell, one of her and her family's oldest and closest friends. Jack and his wife Delores, who passed away in 2000, had been friends with Marion and Keith since the early days of their marriages. Their children were raised together even to the extent that each parent had permission, which was utilized, to discipline any child within the two families. Jack passed away in 2016. To quote Jack's obituary, when Jack and Marion married "these dear friends became a family."
Marion was never inactive. All throughout her life she played her violin for enjoyment and as a member of her college symphony, the Great Falls Symphony, the Lawton Oklahoma Symphony as well as regularly playing and singing with others at church. She played in special series of a Montana wide Summer Symphony comprised of selected artists from symphony orchestras from throughout Montana. Even just recently, Marion played Christmas Carols on her violin at the BeeHive Christmas party.
Mom was a pillar of faith, hope, joy, humility, and kindness. She held firm in her faith and always understood that she was a work in progress, Philippians 1:6, and that through faith all things would work together for good, Romans 8:28. She always had an inner joy manifested with her smile and kind words. When there were unexpected guests for a meal, she welcomed them and "put a little more water in the soup" so everyone had a share. She was always willing and anxious to help others. Her students frequently described her as a demanding but fair teacher and praised her for commitment to their lives and education and service to others. Many of her students were lifelong friends. She was committed to excellence and to helping others achieve excellence. She has surely been greeted to her eternal home with the words, "Well Done, My Good and Faithful Servant!"
Marion is survived by her children and their families.
Complete obituary published in the Great Falls Tribune on April 17, 2022
Marion was born on July 5, 1928, in San Diego, California to Harold & Irene Hyer. She was their only child. During the Great Depression and having lost their house due to the inability to pay taxes, her family decided to move to Montana in hopes of finding work on Kerr Dam near Polson. The work on Kerr Dam never materialized, but the family stayed and lived on Finley Point north of Polson on Flathead Lake. Marion's family retained the second of two homes they built until her father passed away in the 1970s. Marion's early years were filled with time on Flathead Lake and the woods of Finley Point and the surrounding area. She learned to play the violin early in her life which she continued almost up to her death.
Marion attended Polson High School and was the valedictorian of her class in 1946. She then attended Montana State College in Bozeman to study nursing. She graduated with a nursing degree in 1950. She was always a proud Bobcat and enjoyed a spirited Griz – Cat rivalry with her son, Ron. She was proud to have attended the last Griz – Cat game held on the Divide in Butte in 1951 even though the Grizzlies won.
Marion finished her nursing degree and began her nursing career at Montana Deaconess Hospital in Great Falls where she met and married Keith Nelson. In 1957, Keith & Marion moved to Bozeman where Marion, who loved to teach, began her career as a nursing instructor at Montana State. In 1959, they had their first child. He was followed by 4 more boys. The family built a home in the country on Middle Creek between Bozeman and Belgrade. The boys attend school in Belgrade. There are fond memories of using an outdoor toilet in the winter before the house was finished, fishing and swimming in Middle Creek and the irrigation streams that flowed through the property, building forts out of fallen trees, riding horses and having unique pets like skunks and magpies. Although she was an only child, Mom adapted well to a house full of five boys and made everything a fun and learning experience.
The family moved back to Great Falls in 1970. Marion eventually became a nursing instructor at Great Falls Vo-Tech, now Great Falls College MSU. She quickly became the head of the Health Occupations Department and in 1984 was the Montana Vo-Tech teacher of the year. She and Keith divorced in 1978, and he died in 1983. Marion took a position with the Red River Area Vocational Technical School in Duncan Oklahoma in 1975 until 1985 when she returned to Great Falls. She served as the Executive Director of the Licensed Practical Nursing Association from 1991 to 1997. She eventually retired completely in 1998. Throughout her work life, Marion always sought to serve her profession. She served on many boards and committees, typically in leadership roles. She reviewed and published several articles, manuals, and other publications. She was a tireless advocate of effective and efficient delivery of patient care and the healthcare / nursing profession.
In 2003, Marion married Jack Russell, one of her and her family's oldest and closest friends. Jack and his wife Delores, who passed away in 2000, had been friends with Marion and Keith since the early days of their marriages. Their children were raised together even to the extent that each parent had permission, which was utilized, to discipline any child within the two families. Jack passed away in 2016. To quote Jack's obituary, when Jack and Marion married "these dear friends became a family."
Marion was never inactive. All throughout her life she played her violin for enjoyment and as a member of her college symphony, the Great Falls Symphony, the Lawton Oklahoma Symphony as well as regularly playing and singing with others at church. She played in special series of a Montana wide Summer Symphony comprised of selected artists from symphony orchestras from throughout Montana. Even just recently, Marion played Christmas Carols on her violin at the BeeHive Christmas party.
Mom was a pillar of faith, hope, joy, humility, and kindness. She held firm in her faith and always understood that she was a work in progress, Philippians 1:6, and that through faith all things would work together for good, Romans 8:28. She always had an inner joy manifested with her smile and kind words. When there were unexpected guests for a meal, she welcomed them and "put a little more water in the soup" so everyone had a share. She was always willing and anxious to help others. Her students frequently described her as a demanding but fair teacher and praised her for commitment to their lives and education and service to others. Many of her students were lifelong friends. She was committed to excellence and to helping others achieve excellence. She has surely been greeted to her eternal home with the words, "Well Done, My Good and Faithful Servant!"
Marion is survived by her children and their families.
Complete obituary published in the Great Falls Tribune on April 17, 2022
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