Norma Nielsen Edwards

Norma Nielsen Edwards, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister passed away peacefully in her sleep 17 June 2016.  She died from complications due to diabetes, a disease that for 15 years she simply would not yield to.

Norma was born on 31 October 1922 to Verda Doty and John E. Nielsen in Salt Lake City, Utah, the second of four children.  She graduated from South High School and LDS Business College with skills she used professionally, in volunteer service, and in compiling family histories. 

She married Max Vivan Edwards 13 June 1949 in the Salt Lake Temple and together they raised four children—Vicky, Gregg, Val and Bradley.  Married life included years in Rose Park and Bountiful, Utah, Portland, Oregon, Spokane, Washington, and then returning to Bountiful, Utah.  Mom had many leadership experiences that she treasured all of her life.  She served as president of both stake and ward Young Women and Relief Society organizations in a period marked by elaborate “Gold and Green Balls” and Relief Society conferences.  This was service that brought forth personal abilities and capacities that genuinely surprised her.  Yet of these busy times she would often proudly say that she never missed a school athletic or cultural event that any of her children participated in.  Mom also had the unique ability of making life-long friendships with others wherever she lived. 

Mom loved to experience new things and learn about other cultures and people.  She relished the business trips that Max’s employment provided, including the Oregon coast, Hawaii, and especially Europe.  In later years she traveled around the United States with Max and her sister Dorothy and brother-in-law Bert.  These trips included visits to LDS temples and playing golf, especially in Star Valley, Wyoming.  A capstone in her life was her mission with Max to Hong Kong, where she worked in the mission office and later supported dad in his role as president of a Filipino branch that also produced lasting associations.  She loved the Chinese New Year and the spectacular fireworks display over Hong Kong harbor.  And for many years after returning home, Norma hosted a Chinese New Year dinner at her house for children and grandchildren with Chinese food and decorations, while serving dinner in a Chinese dress.

After their mission, she cared for Dad for several years as he suffered from Parkinson’s disease. After Dad’s death in 2000, her later years are best described as her season of volunteering and being a fun-loving and often witty grandmother.  She loved her years as a host at the LDS Conference Center and later working in the Conference Center ticket office.  She was thrilled to meet and talk to people from around the world.  Into her 90’s,  besides volunteering several days a week, a typical month would involve book club, DUP,  theater productions, luncheons with friends, name extraction, and temple work.  While volunteering, she was at her gracious best.

She had great joy being a grandmother and great-grandmother and family matriarch.  She loved to see her extended family and to be a part of their lives.  Every anniversary and birthday of a posterity that numbered 67 was remembered with a card and cash.  She loved to play games with her family (often winning under suspicious circumstances), and always saw the best in each family member.  In her mind, there were no in-laws.  Her children’s spouses, and the spouses of her grandchildren, were fully embraced by her as her own.

Norma is survived by her daughter Vicky Steenblik (Jim, deceased) and sons Gregg (Pam), Val (Kathy) and Bradley (Shauna), her 18 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren, with one on the way, and her brother Warren Nielsen (DeAnn).  She is preceded in death by her husband Max, parents, sister Dorothy Lacey (Bert) and brother Howard Nielsen.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, 21 June 2016 at 11 a.m. at the LDS chapel at 990 N. 100 W. Bountiful, Utah.  A viewing will be held Monday, 20 June 2016 at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 N. Main in Bountiful from 6-8 p.m., and at the chapel from 9:45-10:45 a.m. before the service.  Internment at the Bountiful City Cemetery.