Elma Bernice Nelson

Elma Bernice Nelson passed away peacefully on July 24, 2025, in Aberdeen, WA. In her 101 (and a half!) years on this earth Elma left behind a legacy defined not by accolades or possessions, but by the enduring strength and love of the family she nurtured — her most cherished and lasting contribution to the world.

After graduating from Langley High School in the class of 1942 Elma moved to Seattle where she worked at Puget Sound Power and Light. While working there she met and married Edward Hugh Hahn. Soon after their marriage, Edward left to serve in WWII. In 1944 Edward was killed in action during operation Anvile. Their son Edward Jr. was born after his father was lost at war, making Elma a Gold Star Mother.

A few years later Elma met Howard Nelson, whom she married in 1948. In 1950 Elma and Howard welcomed their second son Steve, and five years later a third boy, Neil.

They lived in Ballard until 1997 when they moved to Bothell where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1998. Elma lived independently at her home in Bothell until one month before her 99th birthday. She celebrated birthdays 99, 100, and 101 surrounded by friends, nieces, nephews, cousins, children, grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

Elma is preceded in death by her husbands, Edward Hahn and Howard Nelson, siblings, Scott, Warren, Parker, Clellan, Margaret, Robert, Jean, and Lincoln, and nephews, Tom and Kenneth.

Elma’s memory lives on with her children Ed, Steve & Mary, and Neil & Vivian, her nieces and nephews, Marie, Earl, Joyce, Cherrie, Bob, Johanne, Patricia, Margaret, Susan, Roberta, Warren, Gordon, Donald, her grandchildren, Dusty, Holly, Randy, Michelle, Jeff, Paige, Sone, William, Amy, Heather, Alyssa, Parker, her great grandchildren and her beautiful great-great grandchildren. She’s also fondly remembered by the friends with whom she shared a cup of coffee and a visit.

A graveside service and reception will be held at Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 13 at 11:00 a.m.

Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, WA.