Mary Lou (Nelson) Stephen Obituary
Description: Mary Lou (Nelson) Stephen Obituary... Our Heartfelt Condolences To Her Loved Ones...
Mary Lou (Nelson) Stephen
December 8, 1937 - December 2, 2022
Obituary
Mary Lou (Nelson) Stephen, 84, passed away on Dec 2 at Memorial Hospital Central in Colorado Springs. Mary Lou was born in Pueblo on Dec 8, 1937 to Louis John and Marie (Beck) Nelson.
Mary Lou attended Fowler schools. After high school, she married Andrew L Russell on June 21, 1954. They were blessed with 5 children. They resided in various towns in Kansas and New Mexico, and settled at the Nelson ranch in the White Rock Community south of Fowler. She and Andy divorced, leaving Mary Lou to raise her 5 children while working at the Kit Carson Hotel in La Junta. Her children were active 4-H members and she was instrumental in starting the first Fat Stock Sale buyer’s supper at the Arkansas Valley Fair. She married Murrel Stephen on Aug 27, 1974, and they moved to Walden in 1978 where Murrel continued to work for CSU Extension. Mary Lou was a member of the North Park Cattlewomen’s, an avid supporter of 4-H, and served as a leader for many years. She also was an active member of the Women’s Club and built a successful Avon business.
After Murrel retired, they started spending the winters in Raymondville, Texas where they developed some very special friendships; including women from the Red Hat Club. She also enjoyed traveling throughout the US, Canada, Mexico and Alaska.
Even after Murrel’s passing, Mary Lou continued to spend the winters in Texas until the trip got too difficult for her.
Mary Lou was an amazing cook and homemaker. She loved spending time with her family and helping them where ever she could. She especially loved to listen to music and dance. Many memories were made and shared in her garage. She could spend hours reminiscing and looking at photos. She always commented how lucky and blessed she was to have such a big family.
She recently decided to go south to Rocky Ford to live at Cottonwood Ridge Assisted Living. Her health issues required her to go to the hospital and she was unable to return to her new winter home.
Mary Lou is survived by her 5 children; Kathy Carlstrom of WY, Alvin (Deanna) Russell of Cheraw, Wanda (Bob) Houston of La Junta, Janet (Charlie) Hijar of Sugar City, and Clinton (Debbie) Russell of Coalmont. She has 12 grandkids and 24 great-grandkids.
Viewing will by Thursday, Dec 8 from 5:00 -7:00 P.M. at Bellwood Ford Ustick Funeral Home at 305 N 8th St., Rocky Ford. Funeral services will be Friday, Dec 9 at 10:00 A.M at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Fowler. Burial will follow at Fowler Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to North Park FFA, P.O. Box 798, Walden, CO 80480. Arrangements have been entrusted to Bellwood Ford UstickFuneral Home. Online condolences may be sent to www.bellwoodustick.com.
