Eva Elizabeth "Beth" Christensen Nelson Obituary (1917 - 2016)

Our beautiful mother, Beth, died early Wednesday morning March 23 at the age of 98 years and 11 months to the day. Born in Spring City, Utah to Peter M. Christensen and Freda Christina Johnson, Beth was the youngest of nine children; seven girls and two boys. In 1924 Beth moved with her mother and brother, Howard, to Upper Bingham Canyon to the U.S. Mine Camp where her father was a shift boss. She attended a one-room schoolhouse. When Beth was in the ninth grade, they moved to the city of Bingham Canyon where she graduated from Bingham High School. Attending a dance in the fall of 1936, Beth met a handsome young man named Merrill Abinadi Nelson from Gunnison, Utah. After many marriage proposals from Merrill, Beth finally said yes. She and Merrill were married October 3, 1940 in the Salt Lake Temple. They began their lives together in Washington, D.C. where Merrill was then employed. They formed many lifelong friends while living in D.C. After Merrill was drafted into the service in 1945, he, Beth and new daughter, Nodia, came back to Utah. In October 1950, they moved from Bingham to Kearns with additional daughters, Cherie and Merilyn, and Beth's mother. Two sons, Kent and Garth, then joined the family. Merrill passed away in April 1986 and Beth lived in Kearns until New Year's Day 2009. Beth supported Merrill in his church callings as bishop, counselor in two stake presidencies, and as stake president. She had the opportunity to meet many general authorities with their wives and had them in her home for meals. Beth worked as an ordinance worker in the Jordan River Temple and in her 90's was a volunteer in the Salt Lake Temple Clothing Department. She loved family history and made sure the stories of her family were recorded. For many years, Beth was employed as a bookkeeper at Kearns Junior and later at Kearns High School and was an excellent typist. She had a pleasant personality and was quick to give a compliment. Beth is survived by children, Nodia (Evard) Wunderly, Cherie (Mark) Nielsen, Merilyn Rollins, Kent (Denise) Nelson; sister-in-law, Minnetta Christensen; brother-in-law, Reed Nelson; 10 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and by marriage, 5 more grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by spouse; son, Garth; son-in-law, Nyle Rollins; parents; sisters, Gertrude Blain, Leona Ovard, Edna Brown, Golda Smith, Myrle Wheadon, Lois Christensen; and brothers, Howard and Russell Christensen. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2016, at the Winder Second Ward, 1361 East 4000 South. Viewings will be held on Friday, March 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 South State Street, Murray, Utah, and Saturday, from 10-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the service. Interment will be in the Spring City Cemetery. Funeral Home: Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary-Murray 4760 South State Street Murray, UT