Obituary of Alva Viola Nelson

Alva Viola (Rytters) Nelson

Alva Viola Nelson of Potomac Falls (previously McLean, VA) passed away on February 1, 2018 at the age of 95.  
Alva was born on September 15, 1922, daughter of Nils and Gerd Rytters in Levene Parish, Province of Skaraborg, Sweden.  
Alva was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.  She is survived by her loving husband Henry Nelson. Together they shared 68 years of marriage. Alva is also survived by her 5 children (and spouses): Jan (Gracie) Nelson, Barbara (Chris) Johnson, Anita (Bill) Fairchild, Gary (Kathryn) Nelson and David (Gina) Nelson; 
Eleven grandchildren (and spouses): Zachary (Blair) Nelson, Tait (Karen) Nelson, Nick Nelson, Erik (Megan) Johnson, Alex (Kate) Johnson, Ryan (Kate) Fairchild, Brittany (Eric) Seifert, Karl, Erik, Kyle and Austin Nelson; 
Five great-grand children, Gwen and Julia Fairchild, Isabel Seifert,  Everly Johnson and Ayantu Nelson.
Preceded in death, sisters Barbru Eklann and Boel Cedgard and brother Nils Rytters of Sweden. 
Alva went to nursing school in Sweden and came to the US in the 40’s to work for the Swedish Ambassador’s family in Washington DC. She was a member of the Swedish Lodge in Washington DC, where she met her husband Henry. They settled in McLean, VA where they lived for 25 years and raised their children. She proudly became an American citizen in 1975. While in McLean she was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. After Henry’s retirement they moved to the mountains in Massanutten, VA. After 12 years they moved back to Northern Virginia to the Potomac Falls area, and most recently at SunRise at Countryside.  She was a member of Community Lutheran Church using her talents contributing many handmade and baked items to the church bazaars. Alva was known for her artistic talent with needlepoint, crewel, knitting and sewing. She also had a green thumb and loved flowers and gardening.  Alva was a wonderful cook and kept the Swedish traditions in the family with her Swedish dishes and pastries.

Memorial Service will be held at:
Community Lutheran Church
Monday, February 5, 2018  at  11:00 am
Community Lutheran Church 21014 Whitfield Place, Sterling, VA 20165. 

Reception in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the Memorial Service.

Graveside Internment (for the family) 
2:00 pm.
National Memorial Park
7482 Lee Hwy.
Falls Church, VA 22042

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: 
Community Lutheran Church Memorial Fund 21014 Whitfield Place, Sterling, VA 20165