Marion Nelson Eklund, spouse of the late Rev. Paul Nelson, died August 29, 2026, in Lindsborg, Kansas. She was 104.
Marion Elizabeth Larson was born May 23, 1922, to parents Olaf Alfred Larson and Anna Charlotte Larson in Foster City, Michigan. Marion was raised in a loving Christian home and Covenant church where she accepted Christ as Savior at age thirteen. She attended grade school and high school at the Foster City-Felch schools; following graduation, she moved to Chicago, working as a maid in a wealthy home and then in an office for two years. She attended North Park College. Over the years, Marion worked as a parish worker at Lakeview Covenant Church in Chicago; First Covenant Church in Tacoma, Washington; and Edgewater Covenant Church in Chicago. For two years, she also worked as a home missionary in rural Fairhope, Alabama.
In 1952, Marion married Covenant pastor Paul Norman Nelson. Together, they served churches in Bristow, Nebraska; Larchwood, Iowa; Odebolt, Iowa; Twin Lakes, Michigan; McPherson, Kansas; and Florence, Kansas. Paul passed away in 1979.
In 1986, Marion married Alfred Eklund in McPherson, Kansas. Together they moved to Lindsborg, Kansas, in 1994, where she was a member of Lindsborg Covenant Church, active in missions, and helpful in general regarding a variety of activities. Al passed away in 2010.
Marion was preceded in death by her husband Paul; her second husband, Al; and her son, Mark. She is survived by her daughter, Janelle Schmalz (Russell); stepson, Charles Eklund (Caroline); grandson, Dakota Schmalz (Abbey); great-grandchildren, Georgia, Elizabeth, and Judah Ford Marion Schmalz and Marion; step-grandchildren, Rebekka Eklund, Luke Eklund, Kim Fitzgerald, and Shannon Swanson; eight step-great-grandchildren; and many extended relatives.
A memorial service was held at Lindsborg Covenant Church on September 12, 2026.
Peace be to her memory.
