Marian Jean Fitzwater Nelson, 79, of Great Falls, passed away peacefully at a local care facility after a four-year battle due to complications from a stroke.

Marian was born on April 1, 1937 in Townsend, MT to parents Clarence and LaRue Nierenberg. She grew up and attended school in Geraldine, MT, later moving to Billings where she went to Billings Business College. Marian worked as a Medical Transcriptionist for Dr. Robert Addison for many years. She also worked for various other Dr.’s both locally in Montana and in neighboring states. In 1956, she married her first husband, Harold Fitzwater who passed from her life in an untimely death in August, 1997. Marian later re-married in 2002 to Wendell Nelson in Great Falls, MT with whom she spent the remainder of her years.

Throughout her entire life, Marian enjoyed country music, the Grand Ole Opry, and would spend countless hours making beautiful craft arrangements. She enjoyed playing pinochle with her friends at the Senior Citizen Center and was an active member in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she held numerous positions.

Marian is survived in death by her husband, Wendell Nelson of Great Falls; daughter, Lisa (Stephen) Thornock Lassey of Great Falls; son, Mark (Annabelle) Fitzwater of Helena; sister, Jerelyn (Jack) Witham of Harrod, OH; and three grandchildren, Katelyn Thornock, Jaclyn Thornock, Nixie Fitzwater.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Harold Fitzwater; grandson, Jeffrey Thornock, and granddaughter, Selena Fitzwater. 

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