EPCHS Alum In The Spotlight: Marlene Rutherford Nelson, Class Of 1971

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — An Evergreen Park Community High School alum who worked at the same place for nearly a half-century has some sound advice for the Mustang students of today.

“Take advantage of all the school has to offer,” said Marlene Rutherford Nelson, a member of the EPCHS Class of 1971. “Get involved, make friends, study hard, but enjoy your time, because it will go by in a flash. Hang on to those friendships that mean the most.”

Lifelong friendships were formed among many members of the Class of 1971, Nelson said.

“Our class of ‘71 reunion committee: Pres Dick Chibe, Rich Chamberlain Yukich, Marla Shobe (and the late Roy), Maryanne Clementi, Lori Glad, John Kebr, Paul Piet, Jennie Botich and I have made sure we have keep as many classmates as possible in the loop over the years,” she said. “We have had 10, 20, 25, 35, 40, 45, and 50 reunions so far, along with a birthday bash celebration for our special 50th, 60th, and 65th birthdays! We did a mini 70th and are going to do a big “71st” for ourselves next year since we are in the class of 71!!”

Her most memorable teacher at EPCHS was Mr. Richard Dystrup, who she described as “one in a million.”

“Back in our high school days, he was the basketball coach, government teacher, and the voice over the PA system at all the home football games,” she remembers. “He knew all of us kids by names and would call out a shout if he saw us walking down the halls… He even attended our 20-year class reunion picnic. He was the best!”

Two of her EP Class of 1971 classmates, Cindie Reusnow and Kathy Tanzer, participated with Nelson in a nursing program held by the Chicago Board of Education. Once receiving her license through the program, Nelson would embark on a decades-long career at what in 1973 was known as Christ Community Hospital in Oak Lawn.

Starting in the OB-Gyn Department, Nelson stayed on with what would eventually be known as Advocate Christ Medical Center until her retirement in 2019.

“I have many great memories from my 47 years of nursing there,” Nelson said. “We became an extended family, and my co-workers and I continue to keep in touch. Most of us worked together for 40 plus years. We went through dating, marriages, babies, divorces, deaths of parents together along with so many changes in the nursing profession over the years. The OB medical staff that we had the privilege of growing up with in the early years of our nursing careers were the best on the South Side.”

During her career at Christ, Nelson would obtain her RN degree in May of 1983 from Moraine Valley and a BSN in nursing from Elmhurst College in May of 1988.

In retirement, Nelson plans to continue to attend Professional Bull Riders events across the country with her husband.