Vellys Jean Nelson

Vellys, 91, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on April 2, 2023, in Hyrum, Utah at the Blacksmith Fork Assisted Living Center. Vellys was born March 10, 1932 and is the daughter of Curtis Taylor Hislop and Jenny Olive Wall. Vellys married her sweetheart, Hyrum Jay Nelson, on July 25, 1951 for time and eternity in the Logan UT LDS Temple. They enjoyed 61 years of marriage together before Jay’s passing in September of 2012.

Vellys was raised in Ogden, Utah. Growing up, she always liked to be with her father out in the fields. She especially liked to drive the team of black horses. Her love for horses was always a part of her life and she truly enjoyed a good horse. She competed in an array of horsemanship competitions whenever she could. Becoming the Rodeo Queen for the Ogden Pioneer Days in 1949 was one of her most precious honors and was just as honored when her daughters, granddaughters, and great granddaughter continued the Rodeo Queen heritage.

Vellys also loved the beautiful sound of the violin and was in the Ogden High School orchestra performing in the Ogden Tabernacle Christmas program with the Utah Symphony Orchestra.

After graduating from Ogden High School, she married Jay and they quickly moved to North Carolina for Jay to serve in the Armed Forces. While stationed in Fort Bragg they welcomed their little Southern Belle, Jaylene. Jay and Vellys enjoyed their time in military service making life-long friends and kindling their love for each other in those early years. After they came back from North Carolina they moved to Ogden for a short time and then moved to Cache Valley to help on Jay’s family farm in Nibley.

Jay and Vellys worked actively together for many years on their dairy in Nibley, while raising their six children. Vellys lived in Nibley for 70 years and in 2005 she served on the History of Nibley committee and was integral in publishing the “History of Nibley” book. Vellys loved children and over the years led 4-H clubs and scouting groups and did everything she could to help with these organizations. She was the first lady to serve on the Board of Directors of the Dairy Herd Improvement Association. Jay and Vellys also operated a farm in Thatcher Idaho, expanding their talents in the Beef Cattle Industry. Giving their children and grandchildren had the opportunity to show beef cattle at the County Fairs winning Grand Champion Steers. In 1986, after the sale of the dairy cows, Vellys went to work at the USU Caine Dairy as Dairy Herdsman (woman) for the next twelve years. Jay was very involved in the Nibley City Council for over 30 years which gave Vellys the opportunity to be active with the Mayors of Cache Valley and the Utah League of Cities where she served as President for two years.

Vellys was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints. She was a great example to her family in her church callings. Her actions always demonstrated her strong testimony of the Gospel. And in 1998 she and Jay served as couple missionaries in the Logan LDS Employment Services office.

Vellys was a great support to all her grandchildren, loving the opportunity to be their number one fan. She adores them all, and was not afraid to brag about any of them.

Vellys is survived by her children: Jaylene (James) Andersen of Wellsville, Roger (Kathy) Nelson of Nibley, Craig (Marva Jo) Nelson of Murray, Mary Ann (Shawn) Nielsen of Rexburg, and Curtis (Suzie) Nelson of Bluffdale; twenty-two grandchildren, fifty-four great grandchildren. Vellys was preceded in death by her husband, Jay, daughter, Carol Jean, parents and siblings.

There will be a viewing on April 7, 2023, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at the Allen–Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center Street in Logan. The funeral service will be held at the Nibley 11th Ward located at 130 West 2600 South on April 8, 2023, with a viewing from 10:00-11:00 am and the service to begin at 11:00.
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The family would like to give special thanks to the many hands at the Blacksmith Fork Assisted Living Center for their love and kindness to our mom.