Marilyn "Merrily" Jean Nelson (Née Ellis) age 78 of San Angelo, Texas passed away on Friday, February 11th 2022. Merrily was born June 9th 1943 in Council Buffs, Iowa to Mr. and Mrs. John and Gladys Ellis. Her father was a business man and owner of Johnny's Cafe (now closed and formerly on Broadway in Council Bluffs) which was a popular place for family, friends and welcomed strangers to eat a delicious meal. Her mother was a business woman, patroness and owner of the business after Merrily's father passed in 1943. Merrily was raised by her loving Aunt Wilma Urling (Née Dedmore) while Gladys ran the family business. Merrily attended St. Peter and Paul Catholic School and graduated from Duchesne Academy in 1961. While in high school, Merrily worked at the family restaurant as a hostess and cashier. It is there that she met her future husband and love of her life, Gary J. Nelson. Merrily and Gary were married in St Patrick's Catholic Church on September 12th 1964 and began their life together. The loving couple welcomed their first child, a son, Clifford John in April 1968 and their second son, David Patrick in April 1970. Apart from being a loving mother raising two sons in the Church, Merrily was a wife that accompanied her husband around the world during his military career. Merrily had her own career as an Executive Assistant working for many good people and places, but most notably as the Executive Assistant for the Chief of Staff, Berlin Brigade, West Berlin, West Germany in the early 1980s. In 1984, Merrily and her husband and their sons settled down in San Angelo Texas where she continued to work until her retirement from Angelo State University in 2009. Merrily had a wonderful sense of humor, lots of friends and a strong love for all her pet dogs -especially Ms. Toodles. She was a very strong lady with a loving heart, which she passed on to her sons. Merrily is preceded by her father, John (1943) her mother Gladys (1986) her brother Gary Ellis, Wilma Urling (1991) and her husband Gary (2002). She leaves behind her two sons, Clifford of San Angelo, and David (Sr.) with his wife Ludivina and two grandchildren Isabela Sofia (15) and David Patrick Jr. (7) all of San Antonio, TX. May the soul of this faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. We will miss her!