Tuesday, April 21, 2009

"He's gone," Nancy said to us last evening.


In memory of Newel A. Nelson, January 23, 1922 to April 20, 2009
Update: Nancy told us on the phone Tuesday night that his funeral is set for Saturday, April 25, 11:00 a.m. 3-7 Ward Building. The viewing is at the new Terry Morrison Funeral Home (between Burley/Rupert) on Friday, April 24, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

We are saddened, as all in Burley, at the passing of our dear friend, Newel Nelson. We extend deepest condolences to his two daughters and son, Nancy, Gary, and Sally, and to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Nancy told us he was at his CPA firm working on some income tax extensions. At 2:30 or 3:30 he told one of the secretaries that he didn't feel well, just before passing out. An ambulance rushed him to the hospital. An aneurism took his mortal life at 5:15 p.m., Monday, April 20, 2009.
For us, it is the end of an era of rubbing shoulders with one of the greatest of "The Greatest Generation." We loved to hear him tell about his experiences as a pilot in World War II and flying "The Hump" in India. We felt his patriotism!
He followed Walt as Bishop of Burley 7th Ward in March 1976. We were at the hospital with him right after Mariam had a cardiac arrest while raking leaves in Oct. 1976, and again in the Burley hospital with him when Mariam passed away in January 2001. Newel served at Walt's side as First Counselor of the new Burley Idaho West Stake from May 22, 1983 to November 9, 1992.
Newel, Walt and Mike were partners of a Cessna 206 turbo 6-seater airplane for many years. Both families loved to fly to the Flying B Ranch of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho's primitive area.
Newel was our CPA from the time Walt started his medical practice in Burley July 1, 1966 to the present.
We will remember Newel for many different things, but all will remember his pleasant, jovial, friendly, optimistic personality, his happy laugh, and his charming, gentlemanly manners. He was aware of "each one" and what was going on in their life.
Most of all we will remember his testimony of the truths of the Gospel and his conviction that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And because of the Atonement of the Savior and His Resurrection, we know we will talk, and walk, and laugh with our friend, Newel August Nelson some day in the future. For now we will let him walk hand in hand with his eternal sweetheart, Mariam, again.
Goodbye for now, dear friend. We love you, your wife, and your family.
We will try to follow the saying: "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." But we are very sad and crying right now.

6 comments:

Julie said...

Pres. Nelson and his wife went on the BYU alumni tour when I went to Blackpool. They were there when I competed and we talked of it often. We were a the same tourist sites and it was fun to have someone there from Burley. I talked with him many times last week and he was always so upbeat and positive. I know he was "getting on in years" but he just always seemed so young.

Chel said...

What a beautiful tribute. Our hearts go out to his family as well as you, his dear friends, during this time of sadness. It must be so hard being so far away, but the many shared memories will stand as a tribute to your respect and love for him.

SAYDA said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jogusboy said...

I was so sad to hear that he had passed away. It's great to know that because of the restoration, that we will see him, and many others, in a more glorious lifetime.

SAYDA said...

Awh... you write so beautiful! It made me bawl. What a beautiful person. I will miss him and his friendly face at church.

Sayda

Janiece said...

I just heard that his funeral was wonderful!

It sounds like he lived his life to the fullest.

I hope you are all doing well.