Mrs. Nelson was born Margretta E. Percival on Oct. 31, 1913, in Beverly. She was a homemaker. She previously worked as a machinist for Roberts Manufacturing, Salina, and for Tescott Cafe and Tescott Cheese Factory.She graduated from Kansas State Teacher’s College in 1932.She married Earl Nelson on May 11, 1941, in Tescott.She was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Salina, and American Legion Auxiliary in Tescott and Salina.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl, in 1978; three brothers, Jack, Walter and Clay Percival; two sisters, Lena Crider and Naurine Kissick; and her parents, Walter and Bertha (Berthelson) Percival.

Survivors include three sons, Michael Nelson and wife Diana of Colorado Springs, Colo., Patrick Nelson of Tucson, Ariz., and Ronald Nelson and wife Lila of Hays; a brother, Mel Percival of Salina; two sisters, Patricia Plumer of Salina and Joan King of Palm Desert, Calif.; and six grandchildren, Justin Nelson and wife Marcia and Eli Nelson, all of Denver, Kirsten Nelson of La Crosse, Wis., Mariah Donahue and husband Tim of Evergreen, Colo., Logan Nelson of Hays and Lyle Herrman of Colby.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Salina. Burial will be in Franklin Cemetery, Tescott.

Memorials may be made to The Hays Good Samaritan Center, 2700 Canal, Hays 67601, or Hospice of Salina, 139 N. Penn, Salina 67401.

Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday at Ryan Mortuary,137 N. Eighth, Salina 67401, where the family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m.