Loraine Milner Nelson (nee Mary Loraine Milner), 94, died on June 27, 2020 at Elk Ridge Assisted Living in Elk Ridge, UT. Viewing will be held on July 6, 2020 from 9:45-10:45 a.m. at the Walker Family Funeral Home, 187 S. Main Street, Spanish Fork, UT and A Celebration of Life Ceremony will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at American Fork Cemetery, 26 West 600 N Street, American Fork, UT, shortly thereafter.

Loraine was born in Lomita, CA on December 15, 1925 to Jonathan Lumpkin Milner and Winifred Mae Weinheimer Milner. She grew up in Long Beach, CA. She attended Julliard School of Music in NYC, NY, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Concert Piano in 1948.

On September 4, 1948, Loraine married Kenneth Everett Nelson, of Homer, NY. They were then transferred to Colorado Springs with the Army. Together, they had six children: Janice Anne Nelson Santino (m. Warren Robert), Steven Kenneth Nelson (deceased), Edward Leon Nelson (m. Joanne Sundberg), Barbara Gail Nelson Armstrong Lee (m. Leon Leonard), William David Nelson (m. Kami Jenson), and Diane Kay Nelson Kingston (m. Lamont Richard). She is also survived by 31 grandchildren and 75 great-grandchildren.

Loraine became a single mother in 1959 in Los Angeles, CA. She returned to college at California State College in L.A., earning a Certificate in Primary Education. She taught school, gave private piano lessons (it was later discovered she taught some students for free if they could not afford to pay), and did temporary secretarial work to support her family. Her children remember her long nights spent awake to accomplish all that she did. They fondly enjoyed the privilege of falling to sleep while she played her favorite classical music pieces on the piano. She was never too busy for homework help or advice, and she took an active interest in her children’s and grandchildren’s activities throughout their lives as best she could.

Loraine had a 30-year career with the Los Angeles City School District, teaching kindergarten, second grade, and music. The final 10+ years, she was the traveling music teacher for five different Los Angeles inner-city elementary schools where she taught all orchestral instruments and choir. She was praised for the beautiful holiday performances she arranged for her schools.

Loraine became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1968. She loved her Savior, Jesus Christ, and devoted her life to Him. She served in many callings, mostly involving music, including organist, choir director, and often putting musical groups together. She also served as a gospel doctrine instructor, Relief Society president, senior missionary, temple worker, and visiting teacher/ministering sister. Her life was that of unselfish service to others.

She has been the anchor in the lives of all of her children, and we are blessed to have grown up with such a saintly and accomplished mother. We will always enjoy the legacy of love that was her very special gift to us.