1928
Shirley
2014
Shirley Nelson
April 26, 1928 — January 29, 2014
Shirley LaRee Allred Nelson, 85, passed away January 29 at home, surrounded by loving family members. She had struggled with adenocarcinoma cancer for several months.
Shirley was born in Ogden, Utah April 26, 1928, but was raised in beautiful Star Valley, Wyoming. Her parents were Harvey Rich Allred and Margaret Barrus Allred, and she was the third of seven children.
While playing in the band at BYU, she met the love of her life, Thomas G. Nelson, who was from Park City. They had a quick courtship and were married in the Salt Lake Temple between their sophomore and junior years. They continued with their schooling and graduated in 1950. Tom’s degree was in music, after which he taught band for 48 years. Shirley’s degree was in Elementary Education. She taught for just one year before embarking on bringing five wonderful children into the world. They lived in Afton, Wyoming, for six years, then moved to Logan where they have remained.
Shirley returned to the education field when their youngest was in school. She was drawn to elementary library work, and dearly loved this part of the education process. She started taking classes at USU in the Instructional Media department, eventually earning a Master’s Degree. She served as the Librarian at the old Woodruff Elementary for eight years. Several of her former Woodruff children have come forward recently and said that it was Mrs. Nelson who instilled in them a love of books, a real compliment to any librarian.
The school district could only afford part-time librarians, so Shirley started looking in other directions. Real Estate was beckoning to her, and she soon took the training and embarked on a career that would span 35 years. She eventually earned her broker’s license and opened her own brokerage. Many were attracted by the commission split she offered, and joined the ranks of Nelson Realtors. These were good years, and she made many life-long friends as she guided people to their dream homes. It was always good that Tom had a steady income with his band teaching, as Shirley’s income could be sporadic at times.
Shirley’s lifelong interest in guns steered her into an interesting hobby, that of competitive shooting. She belonged to CAPS, a local gun club, for about 10 years and did competitive shooting around the western states. She was known as the “Pistol Packin’ Grandma”, and greatly enjoyed the many friendships she developed with fellow shooters. She was a pretty darn good shot, too.
Shirley was grateful that through the months of struggling with her illness, she was afforded the time and sharpness of mind to carefully plan and prepare for her final demise. Shirley has enjoyed many visits from friends and relatives through her sickness, and greatly treasured the time spent with them. There are not many who are able to write their own obituary—(could you tell?)
Shirley was blessed to be able to say personal farewells to many of her family members the day before she passed. During the last few days of her life, she was attended around the clock by daughters Lori and Chris, and nieces Tonya and Carli. The love and care shown by these four wonderful women was invaluable.
Shirley is survived by her husband of 66 years, Tom Nelson, and their children: Mike (Judy) of Murray, Eric (Farol) of Richmond, Tom Jr. (Jackie) of New York City, Lori Weiss (Stan) of Orem, and Chris Nelson (Jerry) of Logan. Tom and Shirley have 20 amazing grandchildren and 19 super special great-grand children. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Nadine Laird and Carma Jenkins.
The family wishes to thank CNS Hospice, and especially nurse Julie Ward and social worker Julie Swenson. Both were compassionate and caring, and greatly eased this difficult time for everyone.
A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center in Logan on Friday, February 7, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. A viewing will be held on Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Allen-Hall Mortuary and prior to services on Friday from 9:00 to 9:45 AM. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net
Shirley was born in Ogden, Utah April 26, 1928, but was raised in beautiful Star Valley, Wyoming. Her parents were Harvey Rich Allred and Margaret Barrus Allred, and she was the third of seven children.
While playing in the band at BYU, she met the love of her life, Thomas G. Nelson, who was from Park City. They had a quick courtship and were married in the Salt Lake Temple between their sophomore and junior years. They continued with their schooling and graduated in 1950. Tom’s degree was in music, after which he taught band for 48 years. Shirley’s degree was in Elementary Education. She taught for just one year before embarking on bringing five wonderful children into the world. They lived in Afton, Wyoming, for six years, then moved to Logan where they have remained.
Shirley returned to the education field when their youngest was in school. She was drawn to elementary library work, and dearly loved this part of the education process. She started taking classes at USU in the Instructional Media department, eventually earning a Master’s Degree. She served as the Librarian at the old Woodruff Elementary for eight years. Several of her former Woodruff children have come forward recently and said that it was Mrs. Nelson who instilled in them a love of books, a real compliment to any librarian.
The school district could only afford part-time librarians, so Shirley started looking in other directions. Real Estate was beckoning to her, and she soon took the training and embarked on a career that would span 35 years. She eventually earned her broker’s license and opened her own brokerage. Many were attracted by the commission split she offered, and joined the ranks of Nelson Realtors. These were good years, and she made many life-long friends as she guided people to their dream homes. It was always good that Tom had a steady income with his band teaching, as Shirley’s income could be sporadic at times.
Shirley’s lifelong interest in guns steered her into an interesting hobby, that of competitive shooting. She belonged to CAPS, a local gun club, for about 10 years and did competitive shooting around the western states. She was known as the “Pistol Packin’ Grandma”, and greatly enjoyed the many friendships she developed with fellow shooters. She was a pretty darn good shot, too.
Shirley was grateful that through the months of struggling with her illness, she was afforded the time and sharpness of mind to carefully plan and prepare for her final demise. Shirley has enjoyed many visits from friends and relatives through her sickness, and greatly treasured the time spent with them. There are not many who are able to write their own obituary—(could you tell?)
Shirley was blessed to be able to say personal farewells to many of her family members the day before she passed. During the last few days of her life, she was attended around the clock by daughters Lori and Chris, and nieces Tonya and Carli. The love and care shown by these four wonderful women was invaluable.
Shirley is survived by her husband of 66 years, Tom Nelson, and their children: Mike (Judy) of Murray, Eric (Farol) of Richmond, Tom Jr. (Jackie) of New York City, Lori Weiss (Stan) of Orem, and Chris Nelson (Jerry) of Logan. Tom and Shirley have 20 amazing grandchildren and 19 super special great-grand children. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Nadine Laird and Carma Jenkins.
The family wishes to thank CNS Hospice, and especially nurse Julie Ward and social worker Julie Swenson. Both were compassionate and caring, and greatly eased this difficult time for everyone.
A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center in Logan on Friday, February 7, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. A viewing will be held on Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Allen-Hall Mortuary and prior to services on Friday from 9:00 to 9:45 AM. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net
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