Ardyth Jeanne Nelson

On November 6, 2015, Ardyth Jeanne Nelson left her earthly home and went into the arms of her Lord to join her beloved Clayton. Ardyth Jeanne Keller Nelson was born March 3, 1922, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota to John and Freida Keller. Her family moved to Libby, Montana when she was young. She attended and graduated from Libby High School, where she met the only love of her life, Clayton Maurice Nelson. They were married May 26, 1940, in Kalispell, Montana and resided in Libby, Montana, before going into the ministry. Ardyth was a homemaker, raising three daughters – Dianna Dee, Marjorie Jean and Rita Renae. Ardyth served her family faithfully while Clayton was a home missionary in Alaska, and a pastor in several churches in the northwest. The family eventually moved to California, settling in Rancho Cordova in 1966. Family was very important to Ardyth, and she was a huge presence in the lives of many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, to whom she was affectionately known as ‘Nana’.

Ardyth is survived by her three daughters, Dianna Johansen, Marjorie Trunkey (David), and Rita Lewis (Melvin); five grandchildren, Terresa Darwood-Torres, Dene White (Craig), Laura Shoemaker (Jason), Libby Hail (Jason) and Clayton Lewis (Maria); and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Clayton, parents John and Freida Keller, sisters Rhea Hatt and Marge Patrick, brother Keith Keller, and son-in-law Ted Johansen.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, November 13, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at East Lawn Memorial Park, 4300 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, California. A memorial reception will immediately follow at Restoration Church, 202 Bonita Street, Roseville, California.