Marion “Ruby” Sundstrom Nelsen

Posted on October 30, 2024

Marion “Ruby” Sundstrom Nelsen, 95, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Oct. 27, 2024, in the presence of her loving family at her home in Perry. Marion was born in the Bronx, N.Y., on March 20, 1929, to Scandinavian immigrants William Sundstrom and Miriam Erickson Sundstrom. She was a graduate of Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, N.Y., and St. Luke’s School of Nursing in New York City. She loved her chosen profession and would often tell stories about working on the floors of St. Luke’s Hospital in the polio ward. In 1955, she married Norman Nelsen and they moved upstate to Saugerties to raise their family. Marion was a driving force behind many businesses that she and her husband owned in the region, including Saugerties Marina, Nelsen Redi-Mix Concrete, River Valley Builders and Hudson Valley Equipment. music, reading, fishing, In the late 1970s, Marion and Norman set their sights on Florida and relocated to Steinhatchee, where they established Steinhatchee Construction with their son, Lance Nelsen. They lived happily there until Norman’s passing in 1992, after which Marion moved to Perry to be closer to her children. Marion loved gospel traveling and taking in sunsets at Keaton Beach. She adored her family and prayed for every one of her loved ones daily – on her knees before the Lord for as long as she was physically able, and later, just as lovingly and fervently from her wheelchair. More than anything, she loved her Savior Jesus Marion “Ruby” Sundstrom Nelsen Christ and was ready to see him on the other side. She was a wise woman of great faith with a servant’s heart. Marion was preceded in death by: her husband of 37 years, Norman; her brother, Ralph Sundstrom; and her daughter, Laurel Desaulniers. She is survived by five children, Lance (Karen) Nelsen of Victor, Mont., Dr. Lee (Becky) Nelsen of Monticello, Linda (Fred) Gunter of Perry, Bill Nelsen of Sanford and Dr. Nels (Connie) Nelsen of Goldsboro, N.C. She is additionally survived by her younger sisters, Barbara (Paul) Schotte of Dover, Del., and Beverly Martin of Owen’s Sound, Ontario. She will be dearly and profoundly missed by her many grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, nieces and nephews, of whom there are too many to name. The family would like to offer special thanks to Marion’s loving caregivers and friends for their support over the years. A memorial service will be held at Joe P. Burns Funeral Home in Perry on Thursday, Oct. 31, at 1 p.m. with a private family burial to follow.