Ruth Mary Jones Nielson

November 30, 1924 ~ April 16, 2016
Ruth Mary Jones Nielson; wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother; passed away on April 16, 2016.
She was born on November 30, 1924 in Blanding, UT to Leonard and Ruth Jones. When Ruth was born, she joined three siblings Vincent Leonard Jones, Keith Clifford Jones and Curtis Whitney Jones.
Ruth’s mother, Ruth Jones, died a month after giving birth to Ruth, her daughter. Her father, Leonard Jones, died when Ruth was six years old. Rachael Perkins (affectionately called “Aunt Rate”) accepted the assignment of raising Ruth and her siblings. Aunt Rate was dedicated to her calling and became Ruth’s beloved mother.
Aunt Rate, Ruth and her siblings lived in Blanding, where they grew a large garden and animals to support themselves.
When Ruth was in elementary school, she skipped third grade and went directly into fourth grade. In high school, she was involved in opera, class reporter, pep club, class secretary, band, home economics and the school paper.
After high school, Ruth attended the University of Utah, majoring in textiles and marketing. She graduated from the University of Utah and found employment in the Home Extension County Office in Monticello, UT.
Ruth started dating her future husband, Norman Nielson of Blanding, when he returned home from World War II. They were married in the Idaho Falls Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
From this marriage came five children: Donna Jensen, Norman Sanford (Sandy), Susanne Anderson, Kirk Nielson and Jeff Nielson.
Ruth loved being a homemaker and loved the gospel. She served in many callings in the church. Ruth especially loved her calling as the Stake Relief Society President, in which she served in this calling for many years.
Ruth and Norman served a full time LDS mission in New Zealand. They loved the people. Later in life they were both called to work in the Monticello Temple. It was a choice experience for both of them.
Ruth’s passion was the gospel and her love of flowers. She was instrumental in organizing a committee to line Main Street with flowers. She loved to drive up and down Main Street and look at all the beautiful flowers that brightened Blanding.
Ruth is survived by her children: Donna (Steve) Jensen, Norman Sandy (Mary) Nielson, Susanne (Lyle) Anderson, Kirk (Stephanie) Nielson, Jeff (Alisa) Nielson; her 27 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren; and her sister-in-law, Garda Nielson.
Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Ruth Jones; sister Mildred Jones; brothers Vincent Jones, Keith Jones, and Curtis Jones; and granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth Nielson.
Funeral services are scheduled on Friday, April 22, 2016 at 3 p.m. at the North LDS Chapel in Blanding, UT. A viewing will be held on Friday from at 12:30-2:30 p.m.
She will be missed greatly.