Obituary: Nelson, Ethel
Age 92
NELSON, Ethel
(Kannberg)
Ethel (Kannberg) Nelson died at home on October 29, 2012.
She was born on February 26, 1920, near Watford City, North Dakota, the eighth of ten children, born to Peter and Ingeborg Tweden.
Growing up on the farm with her siblings (Ida, Stella, Julian, Clara, Orion, Janet, Palma, Harold and Florence) was filled with many escapades, and their farmhouse was known for miles around as a place of good music, musicians, dancing and good home cooking.
She became accomplished at playing piano, banjo, and ukulele.
In 1938 she married Walter Kannberg.
They moved to Spokane and raised four children.
Walter died suddenly in 1966.
Ethel later married Harold (Harry) Nelson.
They enjoyed playing music together, Ethel on the organ and Harry on the drums.
Following retirement, they enjoyed summers in Washington, dancing and travelling in their motorhome.
Ethel particularly enjoyed fishing and was known for her knack for catching the most fish.
Winters were spent in Mesa, Arizona where Ethel enjoyed golf, ceramics, bingo, dancing and socializing with their many friends.
Following Harry’s death in 1997, she let her son Jerome join her snowbird life, enabling her to live in the family home for a total of 60 years.
Ethel was a proud 40+year survivor of breast cancer.
She is fondly remembered for her vibrant, loving and thoughtful spirit, her quick smile, strong work ethic, enthusiasm for family and fun, and her occasionally fierce insistence on doing the right thing.
Ethel is survived by her four children, Corriene Honrath, Jerome Kannberg, Wayne Kannberg (Linda) and Landis Kannberg (Peggy); nine grandchildren: Linnea Bubna, Linda Parnell, Eric Kannberg, Jeff Kannberg, Chad Kannberg, Kerrie Kannberg, Jennifer Nybo, Jason Kannberg, and Peter Kannberg; and eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by both of her husbands, Walter Kannberg and Harry Nelson, parents, nine siblings and granddaughter, Becky Kannberg.
A viewing will be held at Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home, 2203 N. Division St., Spokane, WA, from 6 p.m.to 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 1.
Funeral services will be at 10:30a.m.
on Friday, November 2, also at Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home, officiated by Pastor Kate LePard of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.
An interment service will follow at Fairmount Memorial Park.
Memorial donations can be made to Hospice of Spokane, 121 S. Arthur, Spokane, WA 99210.
Please visit Ethel’s tribute and leave a condolence at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to: