Nanette Gibbons Nelson

1935 - 2022

Nanette Gibbons Nelson, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away on August 3, 2022 in Orem, Utah, surrounded by her loving husband and children.



Nanette was born to Lola and Andrew H. Gibbons in Logan, Utah on November 11, 1935, the daughter of two school teachers. She was named after her two grandmothers, Nancy and Charlotte, and was the fifth of seven children. She was taught in school by both of her parents, and attended Logan Middle School, Logan High School and Utah State University. She treasured learning and time with her siblings throughout her life. She also loved music from an early age and performed in a trio all over Cache Valley for eight years as a young adult.

Seven years after their first meeting, she married the love of her life, Joseph Harold Nelson, in the Logan Temple on July 25, 1956. They adventured through military life together in Salt Lake City, Arizona, Washington D.C., Hawaii, Colorado and Japan, before settling in Logan, Utah, where they raised a son and five daughters. They were a classy couple and true sweethearts, with a marriage full of affection and tenderness. Mom gave her whole heart to her husband, children and grandchildren and always found great joy in their company.

Mom was a gracious woman of faith, loved God with all her heart and embodied the true essence of kindness. Her radiant smile and genuine compliments helped everyone who entered her circle feel loved and treasured, including waitresses, store clerks and caretakers. She was a great listener and gave long warm hugs. She sent thousands of love letters and cards with stickers and hand-written messages. She welcomed into her home troubled teens, foreign students, unwed mothers, college students, refugees, and any family or friend who needed a place to stay. She served two missions with Joe in Virginia and in Ukraine, and served in numerous church callings with competence and love.

A lover of good books, Mom generously shared her library of favorites and spent endless hours reading to her grandchildren. She also loved stickers, games, sewing, Tigger, Abraham Lincoln, the color green and a game of aggravation with anyone, anytime! She kept a daily family journal, made scrumptious pies and beautiful quilts, and loved decorating and gathering with family during holidays.

She will be dearly missed by her husband; her six children Barbara (Don), Ronald (Kristi), Katherine (George), Jennifer (Mitch), Beverly (Travis) and Merrianne (Steve); her siblings Barbara Workman and Larry (LaDawn) Gibbons; her 24 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren; and her many many friends.

We love you, Mom. Thank you for all you've given, for being the loving soul you are and for the precious time we had with you here on earth. You leave all of us who knew you with softer, more loving hearts.

Nanette's funeral will be Friday, August 12, 11am, @ 875 N 1500 E in Logan. There will be a viewing from 9:30 to 10:30 that morning. The services will be livestreamed and can be viewed online at www.allenmortuaries.com.