Maribeth Nelson, 87, of Winfield passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2026 at Sunrise Terrace. A Celebration of Life Service for Maribeth will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at Spring Run Church. Following the celebration of life service, a time of food and fellowship will be held in the church basement. Private family burial will be held in Spring Run Church Cemetery. A memorial has been established for Impact Ministries in Maribeth’s name. Online condolences for the family may be sent to www.sandhfuneralservice.com. Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Winfield is caring for Maribeth’s arrangements.
Maribeth Buffington was born on July 21, 1939, in Burlington, the daughter of Gerald and Verena (Thompson) Buffington. Maribeth was a 1957 graduate of Winfield High School and went on to obtain her Registered Nursing Degree from the Burlington Hospital of Nursing. On December 30, 1959, Maribeth was united in marriage to Richard “Dick” Nelson at the family farm outside of Columbus Junction. Maribeth was devoted to her career in nursing, becoming one of the first Hemodialysis nurses at The University of Iowa. Later in her life she transitioned into helping those in hospice care. Maribeth was a member of the Sweet Adelines and was also involved in the Women of Winfield (WOW) bible study. For most of her life she was a member of Spring Run Church. Maribeth was known to be adventurous, she spent her off time traveling. She and her husband traveled in their RV for ten-years even going as far as Alaska. Her most recent adventure entailed traveling to Florence, Italy to celebrate her 77th birthday.
Maribeth will be deeply missed by her children, Jananne (George) Allmeyer of Lindsay, Oklahoma, Jacqueline Nelson of North Liberty, Rich Nelson of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Ryan (Mihaela) Nelson of Denver Colorado; grandchildren, Drew Allmeyer, Sean (Cristy) Allmeyer, Lauren Allmeyer, Tapoa Nelson, Michael Nelson, Tara Stiner, Tiffany Nelson, Adrian O’Melveny; great-grandchildren, Ester Nelson, Titus Nelson, Collete Allmeyer, Sabrina Allmeyer, Daisy Andrews and Alice Stiner; siblings, Phyllis (Larry) Close, Tony (Cindy) Buffington and Chris (Marcia) Buffington; sister-in-law, Robyn Buffington and several beloved nieces and nephews.
Maribeth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Richard on June 14, 2014 and one brother, Phillip Buffington.