Wilma Nell Hyde
February 10, 1932 – October 10, 2023

Wilma “Nell” Hyde went to her heavenly home on October 10, 2023 at the age of 91. She was born to Thomas and Florence (Anderson) Steel on February 10, 1932 in Wolfe City, Texas. She was the youngest of eight children, the oldest of which died as an infant. She was raised in Wright City, Oklahoma until the family moved to Sweet Home when she was age 15. There she met Clarence “Pete” Hyde who also moved from Oklahoma and were married when she was 16. After a rocky start that included a divorce and remarriage they remained together until Pete’s death in 2006.

Nell and Pete lived in California and Alaska before they made their home in Sweet Home and had two daughters, Rhonda and Vonda. After Pete’s death, Nell moved to Roseburg, then later to Cottage Grove and finally to Albany.

She worked in the bean and berry fields each summer and also did housekeeping and ironing for others.

Nell was an active church member and shared the love of Jesus with her neighbors. She volunteered many hours at local food banks. She loved playing dominoes with church friends in Sweet Home. She also enjoyed gardening and canning. She crocheted beautiful afghans for loved ones and enjoyed reading and cooking. Her meatloaf was the best! She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, riding bikes with her grandkids and taking them swimming at Foster Lake.

In her later years she enjoyed taking long walks around the grounds of Mennonite Village in Albany where she lived. The huge garden there was her favorite place.

She is survived by her daughters: Rhonda English (Dwight) and Vonda Rowling (Keith); grandchildren: Jason English (Georgia), Nathan Rowling, Amber Rowling, Emily Bruggeman (Jason); five great grandchildren: Destiny, Hannah, Jayme, Pippy and Lincoln Bruggeman, and many extended family members. She is preceded in death by her husband Pete, parents, Thomas and Florence Steel; sisters: Irene Malone, Marie Williams, Bobby Sims; brothers: Frank, William, Thomas, Olus “Dude” Steel.

Viewing will be 10 am – noon Friday October 20th at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Graveside service will follow at 1 pm at Gilliland Cemetery. Memorial service will be 2 pm Saturday October 21st at Cottage Grove Bible Church. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements. www.sweethomefuneral.com.