Sonia Nelson Obituary (1938 - 2024)

(To watch her service live go down to the link posted) Sonia Diantha Clark Parker Nelson, passed away March 16, 2024 at her home. She was born March 10, 1938 in Coalville, Utah, in the home where she spent the next 18 years of her life to Ray and Boletta Lythgoe Clark. She had four sisters and three brothers. She graduated from North Summit High School in 1956 as Valedictorian of her class. She also served as Student body secretary of the high school and was yearbook queen by popular vote her senior year. After graduation, she worked as a secretary for the Utah Merit System Council in Salt Lake City, attended Brigham Young University on a full tuition scholarship for four years and two quarters and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing in 1961. She was selected as outstanding student of her nursing program graduating class. She continued post-graduate classes over the years at Weber State University and BYU. She married Ronald Fay Parker on June 3, 1960, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They were blessed with four daughters. Ron and Sonia lived their entire married life in Hooper, Utah. He passed away August 29, 2009. Sonia started work immediately after graduation as an R.N. at the Thomas D. Dee Memorial Hospital in Ogden, Utah. After working for five years, she was recruited to teach nursing at Weber State College in the Practical Nursing Program. After five more years, this program was combined with the Associate Degree Nursing Program at Weber State which later became Weber State University. Sonia continued to teach in the combined programs for 27 more years retiring in 1998. During these years, she had the opportunity to teach nursing classes throughout the state of Utah: Roosevelt to Nephi; Blanding, Richfield, Payson, Price and other points in between, usually driving but occasionally by air. She also worked part-time at the McKay-Dee Hospital Labor-Delivery area for 20 years. She loved it! She was frequently approached by women whose babies she helped deliver. She was also recognized by her previous nursing students. They adored her. Sonia was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served as ward Young Women's President and in ward and stake Young Women's Presidencies, 2 Relief Society Presidencies, taught Sunday School and Relief Society classes, and was a primary chorister. Her favorite callings were as organist in all auxiliary organizations at one time or another as well as ward and choir organist for many years. She was a ward organist for sixty-plus years. She began at age 10. She considered it a great privilege to play the organ in the Washington D.C. Temple. Throughout her life she loved reading, writing, crocheting, cooking, movies, and playing the organ and piano. She loved being a mother. Sonia married Ralph Nelson on March 13, 2010, in Hooper, Utah. Together they served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Washington D.C. Temple. They also served as ordinances workers in the Ogden Utah Temple for many years and continued their life together in Hooper. She is survived by her husband Leo Ralph, four daughters, Karla Stotts (Steve) Hooper, Darla Rhodes (Todd) Hooper, Susan Newey (Reid) Roy, Shannon Peterson (Trent) Hooper, 18 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. Also, stepson Richard Nelson, Hooper, Stepdaughter Deborah Froehlich (Chuck) St. Anthony, ID, 12 step grandchildren and 25 step great grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, AnnAleen Bird (Roger) and a brother, Larry Clark (Lynette). She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters: Superla Staley (Owen), Beth Hanson (Homer), Eloise Spendlove (Gail), Beverly Clark; brother, Dwain Clark (Jean), and LaMond Clark (Shirley). Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Hooper Stake Center, 5375 South 5900 West, Hooper, Utah. Viewings will be held on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Myers Mortuary, 5865 South 1900 West, Roy, Utah, and prior to funeral services from 10:00-10:45 a.m. at the Hooper Stake Center. Interment will be in the Hooper City Cemetery.