Nellie Elizabeth Amundson

[gn_spacer size=”20″] [gn_heading style=”1″]Nellie Elizabeth Amundson[/gn_heading]

Nellie Elizabeth Amundson, 91 of Billings, passed away Monday March 29, 2010 at St. Vincent Healthcare.

The daughter of William and Carry Williams, Nellie was born October 6, 1918 in Jordan, MT.

Nellie married Maurice Amundson in Seward Alaska on January 21, 1963. They made their home in Cooper Landing, Alaska and Yelm, Washington for many years. Nellie has made her home in Billings since 2006.

Survivors include two sons Thomas Graham and his wife Georgia of Ashland and Douglas Graham of Washington and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Nellie was preceded in death by her husband, March 10, 1988, two sons, Robert and Patrick Graham, two brothers Jim and John and two sisters Carry and Dolly.

Cremation has taken place and interment will be in the Yelm Cemetery, Yelm Washington.

Nellie is a main reason that my husband Don and I moved to Alaska in the early 70s and returned to be part of the Alaska Pacific University just 3 weeks ago.

She always told me stories of her and Morrie’s life and adventures in Alaska when I was growing up. They were both so knowledgeable about how to subsist in often challenging conditions both with weather and distance to amenities.

Nellie had a magnificent garden in front of her home on the Kenai River.

Her log cabin sat on one of the most beautiful turns in the river, which as well is the most sought after area for fishing on the Kenai. It was always a treat to go visit and sit on their dock watching the swift current or have to stay there until the Moose let me off.

When I was 8 months pregnant she cooked a wonderful turkey dinner and forgave me falling asleep right after the outstanding meal and for not helping with all the dishes. She was a quiet woman but I knew she always loved me. I visited her often in Washington but when we both moved, our contact was diminished. I kept up with how she was through my mother Elma but often wish I could have seen her again in person.

I will remember her strength and humor and of course her love and support.

People who homestead or live a full live in Alaska achieve a particular status and she and Morrie are still remembered in Cooper Landing. Thank you Nellie for your support and for teaching me so much about how to live in Alaska.

With love, Joan (Bantz) John Williams’ daughter and Nellie’s brother-)