Obituary of Marlena R. Nelson
Marlena R. Nelson (47) longtime resident of the Fernwood and St. Maries areas, passed away after a fierce and courageous battle with cancer at her home on February 10, 2024, surrounded by her loving family and friends. She was born on January 23, 1977, at Benewah Community Hospital in St. Maries. Marlena grew up in Fernwood attending the Upriver school before attending St. Maries High School.
Marlena became a young mother in 1994, so she left high school for a couple of years; however, she returned and graduated with honors with the class of 1998. She married Joe Nelson on November 6, 2004, and they made their home in Fernwood, having 4 children. During this time, Marlena worked for the Upriver school cleaning and substitute teaching. Her marriage to Joe later ended in divorce. Marlena then went to work for Stimson Lumber Company in the Planer and ended up moving to St. Maries. After a few years with Stimson, she went to work at The Landing in Harrison, and then Jack’s Pharmacy. She met her best friend and partner in life Tim Mitchell in the summer of 2017, and they joined their lives together making their home in St. Maries. Marlena was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and was forced to quit work because of her health and treatments. This gave her the opportunity to spend a lot of time with her grandchildren, and she was the best Gigi around. She fought a tough fight that lasted over 6 years.
The outdoors were probably Marlena’s most favorite place to be. She enjoyed simple things such as drives in the woods, road hunting, beach days, road trips to Avery, and spending time in her garden. When she was able, she loved playing summer league softball. Her indoor hobbies included baking, cooking, crafting, and making jerky. She found so much joy in gifting her family and friends the things she made with lots of love.
Marlena is survived by Tim at their home in St. Maries; children Sam (David) Barbour, Casey Nelson, Ricky Nelson, and MJ Nelson all of St. Maries, ID and step children Luke (Laura) Mitchell of St. Maries and Alex Mitchell of Post Falls, ID; mother Lynda Mitchell of Fernwood, ID; siblings Miranda (Alecs) Guerrero of Coeur d’ Alene, ID and Laci (Tom) Akins of Rathdrum, ID; 6 grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by grandparents and her stepfather Ken Mitchell.
A Memorial Service will be on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 11:00 am at the Elks Lodge in St. Maries. A gathering of family and friends to share a meal will follow.
