Maxine Jensen Nelson

Maxine was born on July 7, 1927, in Spring City, Utah. She was the fifth child of George and Hilda Jensen’s six children. Her parents were hard working farmers. Maxine frequently spoke of helping her father work on the farm as well as helping with the housework while her mother was busy sewing clothes for her daughters. 

Maxine loved school and spoke fondly of her Sanpete friends and school activities. At North Sanpete High, Maxine won speech contests and loved going to dances in Fairview, Moroni, and Mt Pleasant. After high school, she studied elementary education at Snow College, followed by a teacher certification course at Brigham Young University in Provo. Her first class was 38 third-grade students in Centerfield, Utah. 

While at Snow College, Maxine began dating Lyman Nelson, her friend Dolma’s brother. On September 10, 1948, she married Willard Lyman Nelson in the Manti Temple. During the early years of their marriage, Willard’s work took them to Chicago, Pocatello, and Calgary, Canada. In 1952, Maxine and Willard moved to Bountiful, Utah, where they raised their family. Maxine and Willard highly valued education for their children and wanted them to be involved in social activities and sports. Maxine believed that all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren deserved good educations and opportunities to pursue the careers they wanted. 

Maxine loved family parties. Christmas Eve was her favorite tradition. She gathered her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren together for formal dinners and fun games. Also, she wanted her children to participate in outdoor sports. She helped her children learn to snow ski in the winter and waterski in the summer. She cleaned the family boats and chose light-colored carpet for her Scofield cabin so that her children and their friends would remember to keep the floors clean. In addition, she greeted any unexpected visitors with enthusiasm. She wanted to know about athletic events, family vacations, school dances, music auditions, and friends. Whenever her grandchildren mowed her lawn, they were invited to stay for a muffin, a coke, and conversation. 

Maxine had special relationships with her friends and neighbors. Her high school friends met for monthly bridge games for decades. She attended high school reunions for over 50 years. Some of her golf partners became life-long friends. Her neighbors were a source of joy and comfort throughout her life. Over the years, neighborhood kids learned to grab a soda or apple from her garage refrigerator as they walked home from elementary school. Every Halloween, she made sure her porch light was on to let trick-or-treaters know that she had candy. 

Ever a woman of faith, she served her church in many ways. As Relief Society President, Teacher, Visiting Teacher Supervisor, and Visiting Teacher she enjoyed the bonds she felt with her sisters. She had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and believed that her service in Primary and Young Women was meaningful and rewarding. 

Maxine is survived by her children: Jennifer (John) Sadler, Mark (Marcie) Nelson, and Holly (Gary) Keddington; 12 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. 

Maxine’s family wishes to express their appreciation for the kindness shown by neighbors, friends, extended family, Welcome Home, and Cascade Springs Hospice. She was deeply touched by their thoughtfulness.

A memorial service for Maxine will be held at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Utah, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 10 a.m. The service will be preceded by a viewing at 9 a.m. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at Lakeview Cemetery following the service.