Artia E. Nelson, 102, Taos, N.M., formerly of Chanute, died peacefully Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010 at the home of her daughter in Taos.

Artia was born on Sept. 28, 1908, west of Buffalo, daughter of William T. and Gertrude M. Butcher Swinney. She was one of nine children.

She was united in marriage to Amos L. Nelson on Nov. 27, 1929. They lived and farmed near Vilas until moving to Chanute in October 1944. They moved to Wichita in November 1952, where they lived and worked until retirement in 1973.

Artia worked at Boeing Aircraft for 10 years prior to retirement.

In October 1973 they returned to Chanute and lived on West 10th St. until the passing of Amos in 1994. In February 2000 she moved to the Tioga Retirement Facility where she resided until it closed in May 2001. She then moved to Taos, N.M., to live with her daughter, Patricia A. Nichols and husband, Dr. Sherman Nichols, who provided her with exceptional loving care until her passing.

Artia is survived by two sons, Gordon Nelson and his wife, Patty, Palm Desert, Calif., and Carl Nelson and his wife, Patty, Sedona, Ariz.; a daughter, Patricia Nichols and husband, Sherman, Taos, NM; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Marjorie A. Swinney Frankenberry, Fredonia.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Amos, four sisters and three brothers.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010 at the Vilas Cemetery, rural Chanute.

Family will receive friends this evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel.

“To leave a special message for the family on-line, visit www.PenwellGabelChanute.com”