Reta Nelson Black

Reta Nelson Black, 95, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2015 at the home of her daughter, where she had lived for the past year. Prior to that she lived in Logan as a member of the Logan 1st Ward for the past 34 years and dearly loved her association there.
Reta was born April 27, 1920 in Juniper, Idaho to George and Lela Ann Austin Nelson. Her childhood was in the midst of the Great Depression and she learned thrift and self-reliance from a very young age, a trait she carried to her dying day.
Reta married Clyde Charles Black September 14, 1938 in the Logan LDS Temple. They were blessed with ten children. Her children were her greatest joy and she loved teaching them and learning from them. She had a thirst for knowledge and desired and encouraged her children to get a good education. She and Clyde worked side by side on the farm and in raising their large family.
Reta was an avid poet and has written hundreds of poems on topics ranging from America to finding happiness in family life. Through her poetry she shared the gospel and taught principles near to her heart.
She was a faithful member of the LDS Church and had a firm testimony of the gospel and a personal relationship with her Savior. She enjoyed sharing her faith with everyone. She served in several capacities in the church. Her philosophy was that you teach more by example than by word. She had great joy serving her children, grandchildren and all those around her. She had a great love for genealogy, gardening and music. She enjoyed playing the accordion and played the harmonica in the "Oldies But Goodies Band" for 20 years. She often delighted the children and grandchildren with a song or two.
Reta was active in community and civic matters, a regular at the Logan City Council meetings and involved in politics as a representative of the Republican Party to the local caucus and state meetings. America had a special place in Reta's heart.
Reta is survived by one son and eight daughters: Milton (Nancy), Colton, CA., Carma Sant, Pocatello, ID, Leona (Dennis) Sorensen, College Ward, UT, Verda Baker, Roy, UT, Edna (Everett) King, Malad, Idaho, Vida (Rex) Godfrey, Fielding, UT, Lila Tolman, Herriman, UT, Zelda (Wilford) McAllister, Taylorsville, UT, Pam (Ray) Stokes, Wellsville, UT. Also surviving are: daughter-in-law Loretta Keller Black, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and brother Merrill Nelson.
Reta is proceeded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Clyde Charles Black, son Heber Clyde, three son-in-laws: William Sant, Gary Baker, Stan Tolman, grandson Lance Godfrey, grand daughter Emily McAllister Smith, grandson-in-law Peter Noorda and siblings Mildred, LeRoy, William Austin and Heber James.
Funeral services will be held Saturday Nov. 14th at the Spring Creek Ward, 2394 W 2200 S, College Ward, Utah. Visitation will be Friday at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E Center, Logan from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:30-11:30 at the Church. Burial will be in the Logan City Cemetery. Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.allenmortuaries.net .
The family wishes to thank the IHC Hospice, The Home Health nurses and Dr. Mark Firth who were so kind and compassionate in the care they gave her as well as Dennis and Leona Sorensen who opened their home and heart to her for the past year and provided loving care.