Nellie Linder, age 91 of Salem, passed away on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at her home surrounded by her family after being diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer on May 14th.
Nellie was born on October 15, 1933, in Marion County, the daughter of Jason and Hazel May (Young) Chapman. She married Ron Howe, and they later divorced. She married Lawrence Linder in 1976, and he preceded her in death in 1998.
Survivors include her three children, Chuck Howe and wife Darlene, Cathy Malone and husband Jeff, and Mark Howe and wife Dianne; 15 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great grandchildren, with two more on the way; and siblings, Floyd Chapman and wife Ola, and Darrell Chapman.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lawrence Linder; and siblings, Nina Rose, Donald “Bud” Chapman and wife Ruby, and Kenny Chapman and wife Pauline.
After graduating from SCHS in 1951, she entered the nursing program at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, earning her RN degree in 1954. She served hospitals in CA, SC, IL, IN, MO, and taught nursing in GA before returning to the Salem area in 1971. Nellie was the Director of Nursing at Twin Willows Nursing Home until becoming the County Nurse in 1973, where she grew the department of one nurse, her, with two secretaries into what became the County Health Department under her direction until she retired in 1995. Her retirement was accelerated due to being diagnosed with breast cancer and the declining health of her husband, whom she cared for at home until his death. Post retirement, she remained active in her church, Salem Grace Church of the Nazarene, Salem Hospital Auxiliary, and various community groups, including women’s Bible studies, all while teaching Sunday School at Twin Willows for 41 years until the COVID pandemic forced her to quit. She was a leader when needed, but a servant always.
She loved caring for her flowers, whether in her yard or at church, traveling, her card-playing friends, quilting, and was an avid reader. She was proud of her extended family, whether by blood, marriage, or because someone needed an extra grandma. But most of all, she showed Jesus by being a friend, bringing comfort to the grieving, serving others selflessly, and being present in the moment. She never failed to say she loved you.
A Celebration of Life for Nellie Linder will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Salem Grace Church of the Nazarene with Trent Ice and Jim Chapman officiating. Private interment will follow in East Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the church. Memorial contributions can be made to Salem Grace Church of the Nazarene, Salem Church of Christ, or your local church or ministry of your choice and can be received at the church or at Crouse Funeral Home in Salem. Online condolences can be left at www.CrouseFH.com