Gladys Irene Sorensen Nelson passed away Monday, January 21, 2019 surrounded by her loving family. In November she celebrated her 102 birthday along with children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and friends with happiness and enthusiasm. Born in Malad, Idaho November 9, 1916, Gladys was the second of four children born to Ammon A. and Cora Nancy Hardman Sorensen. She was educated in schools in Arbon Valley and Malad, Idaho. Graduating from Malad High School.
While attending B.Y.U., she met her future husband Milton Andrew Nelson. They married in the Salt Lake Temple August 25, 1936. That fall they moved to Delta, Utah, where her husband taught at Delta High School. It was here, as she substituted and worked with the teenagers, that she discovered her devotion to young people and education.
Two years later they moved to Spanish Fork. Again she substituted while she completed a degree in English and Education. She taught two unforgettable years at Springville High School before beginning her long teaching career at Provo High School. Here she introduced and taught the Advanced Placement English Program with great success. One year every student in the class passed the Advanced Placement test and received college credit in English. For this achievement she received a letter of commendation from the State Board of Education. She also taught college preparatory English and speech classes. She also assisted with Provo High Sterling Scholars.
When Timpview High School opened in 1978, she was one of the teachers selected from the Provo High School faculty to teach at the new high school. Most of her classes she taught at Timpview were Advanced Placement English. She served as the director of the Sterling Scholar program. One year she qualified 11 of the 12 Scholars for state competition. Here she was selected “Teacher of the Year.”
Gladys was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She used her teaching talent as she taught in many auxiliaries. She especially enjoyed teaching classes in Relief Society and being a visiting teacher.
Her hands were always busy creating beautiful handwork. While living in Delta she learned how to crochet. She also loved knitting, embroidering, and quilt making. She enjoyed yard work, especially working in her beautiful rose gardens. After her husband’s death she was able to travel, both abroad and in the states.
Her greatest joy was her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Gary Milton (Diane) Nelson and their five children, Riverton, Utah; Dr. Devon A. (Pat) Nelson and their six children, Mapleton, Utah; Nancy Ellen (David) Jorgensen and their three children, Springville, Utah; Denielle Nelson (Wells) Brockbank and their five children, Spanish Fork, Utah. She was a great grandma to 35 great grandchildren. Many lovingly called her Grandma GG. Her husband Milton preceded her in death December 29, 1981. Also, a granddaughter and great granddaughter preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 26, at the LDS Church building located at 1167 South 1700 East, Spanish Fork, Utah at 2:00 p.m. A viewing will be held from 1:00-1:45 p.m. prior to services.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute to The Perpetual Education Fund through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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