Gloria Grotegut Nelson, 86, our loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother returned to her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, September 1, 2021. Gloria was born at home in Spanish Fork on March 9, 1935, to Loren and Mary Bradford Grotegut. She shared her birthday with her beloved twin, Glade. The two of them had a very special bond throughout their lives.

Gloria was a life-long Spanish Fork resident. She loved her city! She enjoyed growing up among many family members and friends. She was educated in Spanish Fork and graduated from Spanish Fork High School in 1953. She married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, J. Wayne Nelson, on June 5, 1956, in the Salt Lake Temple. They were blessed with four children: Jim “Shoe”, Richard, Sandra, and Jeff “Whites”. They have fourteen grandchildren, thirty-two great-grandchildren with two on the way. Her greatest joy and passion in life was supporting and spending time with her family.

Gloria loved the gospel. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served valiantly in many organizations. She served in presidencies in Primary, Relief Society, and Young Women. She also served in Stake callings and always gave 110%. She never wavered in her love for our Heavenly Father and her willingness to serve

Gloria loved to plan events and parties with family and friends. She was an amazing cook and shared her delicious meals with many. She especially loved to organize fun and memorable parties and vacations for her entire family. Her holiday parties were never to be forgotten events, especially Christmas Eve, Halloween, and her annual New Years Eve sleepover with the grandkids. She loved to have fun and started many traditions that will carry on, like the annual ‘Deer Hunt’ weekend in Salt Lake, where the girls hunt for bargains while the men are hunting for deer.

Gloria loved sports and followed Spanish Fork High School athletics, BYU athletics and the Utah Jazz. Her favorite sport was baseball and, more specifically, Spanish Fork Dons Baseball. For decades you could see Grandma Gloria watching the game along the first base line wearing her Dons visor and cheering on the team. She loved watching her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren participate in any sport or activity.

Gloria loved her job. She worked for over 40 years for Job Service (Utah Department of Workforce Services). She loved and cared about the people she worked with and loved helping others find jobs and careers. She was awarded Employee of the Year by the Utah State Legislature.

Gloria was known for her kind nature and, because of that, she had many friends. She met with her high school friends each month in two different clubs. Her club ladies were like sisters to her, and she loved them very much. She had ward friends, work friends, and family friends. Her warm smile and happy attitude attracted people.

Gloria was a talented quilter and embroiderer. She made many beautiful hand stitched quilts for her family and friends. She was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She helped make many baby quilts to help support that organization.

She is survived by her children: Jim “Shoe” (Pat) Nelson, Richard (Allison) Nelson, Sandra (Matt) Jarvis, Jeffrey “Whites” (Cindy) Nelson; and a large extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, J. Wayne; her parents, Loren and Mary; her brothers, Bill and Glade; and her sister, Marilynn.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at the 19th Ward LDS Church, 585 North Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah 84660. Viewings will be held Tuesday evening, September 7, 2021, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 187 South Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah; and on Wednesday morning at the church, from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the funeral service. Interment will be at Spanish Fork City Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the dedicated workers in the memory care unit at Spring Gardens in Mapleton for their amazing service and love shown to our mom. We would also like to thank Encompass Hospice for the great love and care they have shown our family.

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