Marion Loraine Kelsven

April 7, 1922 - April 14, 2016

Marion Kelsven passed from this life into the arms of Jesus on April 14. Born in Almont, North Dakota, she always appreciated her small town roots. Her family lived above the general store run by her father. Her older sister Kathleen shielded her from the winter winds when they walked to elementary school. Teenagers dressed in their Sunday best to go on picnics in the hills. Marion was an enthusiastic student, skipping two grades & showing an early interest in music. After a couple years at Marion College, Indiana, Marion transferred to Indianapolis for nursing; she completed her degree at Seattle Pacific College, looking forward to life as a missionary. She had many interesting experiences and delivered many babies in Colombia, South America. Coming home for her health in the early 1950's, she returned to hospital nursing and spent more than a decade at Emmanuel Hospital in Portland working in labor and delivery, then teaching nursing. (The family had moved to Oregon when Marion was in nursing school and she followed later.) From 1966 until her retirement in 1986, Marion worked in public health, with a brief stint teaching at Mt. Hood Community College. She loved speaking Spanish with migrant workers and being able to help refugees from around the world. She also loved to travel and visited most countries in the Western Hemisphere and several in Asia, Western Europe and Southern Africa. Marion was always active in the church. She especially loved to serve through playing the organ and piano. She was a member of St. John's Wesleyan in Portland, later of Faith Evangelical in Milwaukie and attended Newberg Friends after her move to Newberg. Friendsview retirement community was home for the last decade, a place where she made new friends, and received excellent care. She played the piano for chapel services until her hearing made it too difficult and still enjoyed playing the piano in her room. Marion is survived by her sister Beverly Kelsven of Newberg; nieces and nephews Cheryl Edwards and Rowene and George Beals of Holland, Michigan, Clifford Edwards and Loree Oberle-Edwards of San Diego, California; great nephews Erik and Kristen Beals of Holland, Michigan and Evan Beals of East Lansing, Michigan. She was preceded in death by brother Ray Kelsven, parents Clifford and Katherine Kelsven, brother-in-law Burdette Edwards and sister Kathleen Edwards. Services will be held at the Newberg Friends Church on Friday, April 29 at 2:00 pm officiated by the Rev. Phil Hawk. Memorials may be directed to World Hope International or a cause the donor is passionate about. World Hope International Attn: Gift Processing P.O. Box 743794 Atlanta, GA 30374-3794