Marilyn J. Bell-Velten

Marilyn J. Bell-Velten, 89, of Lafayette, passed away Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at The Springs of Lafayette.
She was born February 10, 1935, in Lafayette to the late James Dallas and Edna Frances (Sherry) Pitzer. She was a graduate of Portland High School and earned her nursing degree at Home Hospital School of Nursing. Marilyn continued her education earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Purdue University and her Master’s Degree from Indiana University/Purdue University of Indianapolis. On January 10, 1955, she married Charles E. Bell at St. John’s Evangelical Church in Lafayette. The couple were married 42 years when Charles preceded her in death on June 2, 1998. In 2003, Marilyn married Donald Velten, he preceded her in death on October 17, 2012. Marilyn was an active member of Immanuel United Church of Christ.
She was a very proud nurse. Her passion for helping people led her to a 40+ year career at Home Hospital. She then found love in teaching at Purdue University as the Adjunct Professor or Nursing. She also worked on her own as a Hospital Administrative Consultant at White County Memorial. Marilyn founded the Parrish Nurse Program, training 50+ Parrish nurses and was awarded “Distinguished Alumni Award” from Purdue University for Hospital Administration and for teaching hundreds of nursing students at the Purdue Nursing School. She loved Purdue and was a proud alumnus.
Aside from her passion for nursing, Marilyn enjoyed playing Bridge and other card games as well as reading. She was very involved in all of her children’s activities and chaperoned many school and band trips. She enjoyed family vacations to Florida and traveling to Europe and Hawaii with Don and her daughter Sherry.
Marilyn is survived by her 4 children, Randy (Joyce) Bell of Lafayette, Sherry Tipton of Avon, Julie (Matt) Hancher of Fort Myers, FL., and Jeffrey (Susan) Bell of Valparaiso; 4 step-children, David Velten, Diane Velten, Daniel Velten, and Jolene Saltsman; 6 grandchildren, Crystal (Lawrence) McKinnis, Andrew Bell, Joshua Hancher, Nathan Hancher, Elizabeth (Joseph) Bean, and Timothy (Emily Gustin) Bell; great-grandchildren, Tatyana, Rowan, and Brayden McKinnis; and a brother, James Pitzer of Carnegie, PA.
Along with her husbands, Charles E. Bell and Donald Velten and her parents, James and Edna Pitzer, she was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Bruce Tipton.
Memorial contributions in Marilyn’s name may be given to Immanuel United Church of Christ or to the Purdue School of Nursing.
Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Thursday, September 12, 2024, at Soller-Baker, Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd., Lafayette, IN 47909.
Funeral Service will be at 10:00 am, Friday, September 13, 2024, at Immanuel United Church of Christ, 1526 S. 18th Street, Lafayette, IN 47905, with Rev. Dr. T.J. Jenney officiating.
Interment will follow at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens, 1718 W. 350 N., West Lafayette, IN 47906.