Nelda Sue Vanderburg

Nelda Sue Vanderburg was born Nelda Sue Barnes to Earl and Beulah Barnes in Altamar, California on April 7, 1938. She was the baby of the family and moved many times with her family of origin. She lived in Arizona, Medicine Park and Shawnee Oklahoma, as well as Augusta Georgia, and then settled in Oklahoma City with her husband Dean Vanderburg in the late 1950’s. They then built a home in Piedmont and raised all four of their children there. Nelda remained in her home until just a week prior to her admission to Mercy Hospital.

Nelda was first an oncology LPN at Mercy in the early 1980’s, and later an exceptional critical care RN, dedicating her life to Mercy Hospital as a highly skilled nurse in their ICU’s. She had incredible assessment and nursing skills in the medical, surgical, and cardiac ICU’s, and retired after 30 years of service to Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. She was an excellent student, graduating as an LPN with honors, and later, her Associates in Science RN from OSU Tech in OKC in 1991. She worked full time during her schooling, was a brilliant mind and compassionate soul. She brought special comfort and care to each family she cared for over the years.

Nelda passed away on April 13, 2026 at Integris Hospice House. She is survived by son Terry L. Vanderburg of Piedmont, and Susan (Ken) Pearce of Ontario, Canada, Grandchildren Brian Fox (Sheri) of Carmel California, Ryan Fentie (Nikki) of Las Vegas Nevada, and Devin, Kyle, and Keith Fentie of Ontario Canada. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Noah & Katelyn Fox of Carmel California, Nigel Fentie of Sarnia, Ontario Canada, and Lauren, Natalie, and Baby Boy Romero-Fentie of Las Vegas Nevada. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews in the Barnes and Vanderburg families. She was the last surviving member of the Barnes and Vanderburg families from the Greatest Generation.

She was predeceased by her two sons, Mark Wayne Vanderburg (2013) and Kenneth Dean Vanderburg (2025), her former husband of nearly 30 years, B. Dean Vanderburg (2016), as well as brothers James and Robert Barnes, and sister Betty (Moore).

A Celebration of Life will be held at the First Baptist Church of Piedmont on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 2:00pm. Please feel free to wear floral or bright colors as a tribute to her green thumb and love of all things gardening. She was cremated as per her final wishes.