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Muriel Katherine Nelson (née Sunderland), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 20, 2026, at the age of 88 years, surrounded by her loving family.

Muriel was born on September 16, 1937, on the family farm, in the Scrip district to John and Alma Sunderland (née Wolff). She was the fifth child and second daughter in a family of eight children. Muriel began her education at Sigstad School in the Scrip area, completing Grade 8 before attending Rose Valley School, where she boarded with the Rudell family and completed Grade 11 in 1955.

On July 18, 1955, Muriel married the love of her life, Helmer Nelson. Together they built a good life through hard work and dedication to their family. The two were truly inseparable, working side by side on the farm and sharing nearly 71 years of marriage together. Muriel and Helmer were blessed with three children: Allan, Lois, and Rodney.

Muriel was known for her strong work ethic and caring nature. She worked alongside Helmer on the farm for many years and also drove school bus and completed a mail run in the community. In 1988, Muriel and Helmer took a ten-year break from rural life and moved to Calgary, where Muriel worked in a daycare. Even there, her nurturing and hardworking spirit shone through. The couple eventually returned to their roots in Rose Valley, where Helmer semi-retired, and Muriel once again took on a school bus route.

Family meant everything to Muriel. She shared a special bond not only with her own family, but also with Helmer’s large extended family. She treasured her many sisters-in-law and loved each one dearly. Muriel was someone who always looked out for others, offering kindness, support, and care wherever it was needed.

Muriel and Helmer also shared a wonderful sense of adventure. Over the years they enjoyed many trips to the mountains for downhill skiing, travelled throughout the United States including memorable trips to Nashville, and cherished attending their granddaughter Katee’s wedding in Mexico. At home, they found joy in gardening, dancing, and picking strawberries together. Their homemade freezer strawberry jam became famous among family and friends. Some of the most treasured memories were made in the garden, where grandchildren and great-grandchildren often worked and laughed alongside them.

Muriel will be lovingly remembered for her warmth, strength, generosity, and deep love for her family.

She was predeceased by her parents, John and Alma Sunderland; her brothers John Sunderland and his wife Jenny, and Ken Sunderland and his wife Rita; her sister Dorothy Sunderland; her son Rodney Nelson; and her granddaughter Jennifer Thompson.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband, Helmer Nelson; her son Allan (Sharon), and their family: Bradley (Leanne) and children Joy & Molly, Katee (Ryan) Galandy and their boys Cooper and Rylan, and Jeremy (Meghan); daughter Lois Nelson (Myles Huff), Lois’s eldest late daughter Jennifer’s children Alannah, William, & Keith, Jeanette (Mark) Podesky and son Simon, and Jason & his children Oscar and Margaret “Maggie”; Late son Rodney (Wendy ) and their children Amanda (Wayne) LeBlanc, Medasia (Brady) Poirier, and daughter Ella (great-great grandchild), Cherylee Nelson and her children Dominic, Thrain, and Eragon, Jonathan Nelson and his children Gavin and Jacob, and Rebecca Jarrow and her children Maverick, Xander, and Harvey, along with numerous extended family members, dear friends, and all those whose lives Muriel touched through her kindness and love.

Muriel will be deeply missed by her loving family and all who knew her. Her legacy of hard work, her love of gardening, kindness, and devotion to family will live on in the many lives she touched and the memories she leaves behind.

Memorial donations in Muriel’s name can be made to:

STARS Donations | 1441 Aviation Park NE, Box 570 | Calgary, Alberta | T2E 8M7