RUSSELL NELSON

Russell A Nelson 1918 ~ 2009 Russell A Nelson was born in Tooele, Utah on September 24, 1918 to loving parents, the first child of Rollin and Amanda Nelson. He was adored by his grandmothers, Eliza Nelson, of Tooele, and Emelia Osterberg, of Grantsville. He grew up in a close-knit family, with siblings Wayne (Marie), Johnny (Bernadine), Betty (Bert) Ogden, and Corinne (Earl) Wunderli. He lived and attended schools in Tooele, Erda, and Grantsville. He especially enjoyed spending time on the family ranch in Erda, where he loved working with the animals. He graduated from Grantsville High School in 1937 and attended the Agricultural College (Utah State) in Logan. He was working for the Soil Conservation Service when World War II broke out. He answered the call of his country and served four years in the Army, stationed in the Aleutian Islands and the South Pacific. Following the war, he returned to Grantsville and was employed by the Tooele Army Depot, where he worked in warehousing and shipping of military equipment and munitions. He received awards for innovations in safety and efficiency. He worked there for 32 years. Russell married Ruth Francom, of Payson, Utah, October 27, 1948, in the Salt Lake Temple. They are the parents of eight children: Lynda, Connie, Glade (Marie), Merrill (Karen), Mark (Diane), Leon (Korinne), Reese (Kathy), and Gerald (Tonya). They reared their family in Grantsville, Utah, where they bought a small farm and instilled in their children the values of responsibility and hard work. Russell loved working with his land and animals, including grand-champion milk cows. He provided a comfortable living for his family, and took pride in the accomplishments of his children, including church missions, college educations, successful careers, and families of their own. Russell lived a good, full life. He enjoyed parades, rodeos, fairs, music, and dancing. Most important to him was his family, including 27 grandchildren and 13 great-grand children. He most enjoyed times together with the family, including his 90th birthday celebration and recent events in the holy temple. In his later years, he enjoyed keeping a few sheep. He knew each one individually; they knew his voice and followed him. He acknowledged the Lord as our Shepherd. Russell passed away in Tooele, Utah, August 7, 2009. The family is grateful to Beehive Homes of Tooele and Harmony Home Health and Hospice for their compassionate end-of-life care. A funeral service will be held in the Grantsville LDS Stake Center, 550 E. Durfee Street, on August 11, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. A viewing will be held prior to the service beginning at 9:30 a.m. Interment is in the Grantsville City Cemetery.