Advertisement

Gail <I>Kinghorn</I> Nelson

Advertisement

Gail Kinghorn Nelson

Birth
Rigby, Jefferson County, Idaho, USA
Death
6 Jan 2018 (aged 100)
Idaho, USA
Burial
Annis, Jefferson County, Idaho, USA GPS-Latitude: 43.7266083, Longitude: -111.9412694
Memorial ID
View Source
Gail Kinghorn was born in Rigby, Idaho in the home of her parents, Alec and Myrtle Kinghorn, on December 23, 1917. She was the 3rd daughter and 4th child in a family that would have 10 children. Her birthday was on the same day each year as the prophet Joseph Smith. In 1917, Joseph F. Smith was the living prophet and president of the LDS Church. In her childhood she personally knew and was influenced by many Mormon pioneers among her family and friends.

Woodrow Wilson was President of the United States, and America had just sent a generation of young men to fight World War I in the battle fields and trenches of France. Many died and were injured in that terrible conflict. As a child she survived the worldwide Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1918.

The mode of travel was primarily walking, or horse and wagon or sleigh. There were very few automobiles. She didn’t have the luxury of indoor plumbing, electric lights, refrigeration or even radio until later on. During the great depression the family lived 5 years in Conrad, Montana where through hardship the family formed eternal bonds. While they lived in Conrad they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Cardston, Alberta Canada Temple on July 11, 1928. Gail remained very close with her siblings all of her life and is survived by Norma Kinghorn Nelson of Pasco, Washington, Betty Jean Kinghorn Harris of Twin Falls Idaho, Richard Kinghorn of Fresno, California and Morris Kinghorn of Pocatello, Idaho.

Gail nearly always walked to school wherever the family lived and she ultimately graduated from Midway High School in Lewisville, Idaho. She loved to dance and was a favorite dance partner to many young men. She met Kenneth Levi Nelson from Lorenzo, Idaho at the Riverside Gardens dance hall in the late summer of 1941. On December 7, 1941 she was on a date with Kenneth when the news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor came over the radio. It seemed to them that the world they knew had come to an end.

Kenneth and Gail were married on March 11, 1942 and Kenneth enlisted in the Army Air Corp and left for pilot school in October of 1942. Kenneth served as a top turret gunner on a B24 Bomber that was ultimately stationed in Cerignola, Italy during 1944 and 1945. Kenneth returned home after the war to greet his oldest son Dennis who was now 3 years old and his wife Gail. Through enterprise and hard work, Kenneth and Gail acquired a small farm in Annis, Idaho in 1949 where they raised 7 sons. Kenneth and Gail’s marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple on March 23, 1951.

The sons and spouses are: Dennis K. Nelson (Dixie Lou Felberg Deceased) and Ann LaRee Rainey of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Ray L. Nelson (Connie Kay Schlueter Deceased) and Judith Beasley of Salt Lake City, Utah, Leon J. Nelson of Rigby, Idaho, Galen D. Nelson (Deceased) and (Quennalee Watson Nelson Mickelsen) of Rigby, Idaho, Calvin R. Nelson and Margaret Knight of Pasco, Washington, Keith B. Nelson and Penny Harrop of Rigby, Idaho, Richard A. Nelson and Karren Partridge of Rigby, Idaho.

Mother worked as a secretary for the Jefferson County Soil Conservation office in Rigby for many years. She always worked at the voting polls every election for more than 40 years.

Kenneth and Gail taught their sons the value of hard work and faith in God. Gail could out work anyone. By example, they both taught us that you don’t quit in life just because something is hard. In 1986 they served 6 months as fulltime missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints near Sacramento, California. In August of that year Kenneth died from the effects of heart disease leaving Mother for the next 31 years.

In 1988 Mother served a mission in Boston, Massachusetts during which time she was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. She underwent major surgery and received a full course of chemo therapy treatments during which time her total weight dropped below 100 lbs. But, through some promised priesthood blessings and the good care of her sister Norma Kinghorn Nelson and her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ she was miraculously healed and restored to full health and vigor with no lasting effects the remainder of her life.

On December 11, 2007 Gail’s 4th son Galen was killed with two other men in a small plane accident near Cedar City, Utah. Mother said it was very hard for a parent to bury a son. Later on Gail also had to see two of her daughters-in-law laid to rest. Connie Kay Schlueter Nelson (Ray) on January 11, 2015 and Dixie Lou Felberg Nelson (Dennis) on September 23, 2015.

During the past 31 years Mother lived surrounded by her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Today Gail’s family consists of 116 people, 7 sons and spouses, 35 grandchildren and 64 great grandchildren plus 2 on the way and 1 great-great grandchild.

Gail also served for 13 years as an ordinance worker in the Idaho Falls Temple. Over the years Gail has taught primary and served wherever asked in church callings. She has always loved her association with the members of the Annis Ward. She loves them and they love her.

Mother passed away peacefully in her sleep at 12:30 a.m. on January 6, 2018. She is the last of the World War II or “Greatest Generation” to leave us. Her passing truly marks the very end of an era. By coincidence Gail’s funeral services will be held at the same date and time as that of President Thomas S. Monson who is also the last member of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles who served in World War II.

Mother is a fighter and has always had a feisty personality. She holds strong opinions about everything in life including politics and world affairs. She has an independent spirit and is a fierce defender of the cause of work, liberty and freedom. No doubt she championed the message of freedom as taught by Jesus Christ in the pre-earth life. She will undoubtedly continue to support that cause in the spirit world now that she is reunited with her family and friends who have passed on before.

The funeral services will be held in the LDS Menan Stake Center located at 698 N 3600 E, Menan, Idaho 83434 on Friday January 12, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends and relatives at a viewing at the Eckersell Funeral Chapel located at 101 W Main, Rigby, ID 83442 on Thursday January 11, 2018 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. A viewing will also be held in the Menan Stake Center on Friday morning from 9:30 to 10:45 prior to the funeral services.

As Brothers and Gail’s sons we wish to express our deepest appreciation to our wives who are Gail’s daughters-in-law for their boundless service to our Mother in caring for her and helping her to maintain her independent living these many years.

We also express a special thanks to Lorie Clark with Helping Hands who diligently assisted Mother with showers, hair care, house work, and lots of love. We wish to express appreciation to the entire nursing staff at Madison Carriage Cove for their superb care and kindness shown to our Mother in her final days.

We wish to thank the Bishopric, Home Teachers, Relief Society Sisters and families and friends of the Annis Ward for their love and service to our Mother. We also express appreciation to all other friends and family members who are able to attend or participate in honoring our Mother’s life in anyway.
Gail Kinghorn was born in Rigby, Idaho in the home of her parents, Alec and Myrtle Kinghorn, on December 23, 1917. She was the 3rd daughter and 4th child in a family that would have 10 children. Her birthday was on the same day each year as the prophet Joseph Smith. In 1917, Joseph F. Smith was the living prophet and president of the LDS Church. In her childhood she personally knew and was influenced by many Mormon pioneers among her family and friends.

Woodrow Wilson was President of the United States, and America had just sent a generation of young men to fight World War I in the battle fields and trenches of France. Many died and were injured in that terrible conflict. As a child she survived the worldwide Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1918.

The mode of travel was primarily walking, or horse and wagon or sleigh. There were very few automobiles. She didn’t have the luxury of indoor plumbing, electric lights, refrigeration or even radio until later on. During the great depression the family lived 5 years in Conrad, Montana where through hardship the family formed eternal bonds. While they lived in Conrad they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Cardston, Alberta Canada Temple on July 11, 1928. Gail remained very close with her siblings all of her life and is survived by Norma Kinghorn Nelson of Pasco, Washington, Betty Jean Kinghorn Harris of Twin Falls Idaho, Richard Kinghorn of Fresno, California and Morris Kinghorn of Pocatello, Idaho.

Gail nearly always walked to school wherever the family lived and she ultimately graduated from Midway High School in Lewisville, Idaho. She loved to dance and was a favorite dance partner to many young men. She met Kenneth Levi Nelson from Lorenzo, Idaho at the Riverside Gardens dance hall in the late summer of 1941. On December 7, 1941 she was on a date with Kenneth when the news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor came over the radio. It seemed to them that the world they knew had come to an end.

Kenneth and Gail were married on March 11, 1942 and Kenneth enlisted in the Army Air Corp and left for pilot school in October of 1942. Kenneth served as a top turret gunner on a B24 Bomber that was ultimately stationed in Cerignola, Italy during 1944 and 1945. Kenneth returned home after the war to greet his oldest son Dennis who was now 3 years old and his wife Gail. Through enterprise and hard work, Kenneth and Gail acquired a small farm in Annis, Idaho in 1949 where they raised 7 sons. Kenneth and Gail’s marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple on March 23, 1951.

The sons and spouses are: Dennis K. Nelson (Dixie Lou Felberg Deceased) and Ann LaRee Rainey of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Ray L. Nelson (Connie Kay Schlueter Deceased) and Judith Beasley of Salt Lake City, Utah, Leon J. Nelson of Rigby, Idaho, Galen D. Nelson (Deceased) and (Quennalee Watson Nelson Mickelsen) of Rigby, Idaho, Calvin R. Nelson and Margaret Knight of Pasco, Washington, Keith B. Nelson and Penny Harrop of Rigby, Idaho, Richard A. Nelson and Karren Partridge of Rigby, Idaho.

Mother worked as a secretary for the Jefferson County Soil Conservation office in Rigby for many years. She always worked at the voting polls every election for more than 40 years.

Kenneth and Gail taught their sons the value of hard work and faith in God. Gail could out work anyone. By example, they both taught us that you don’t quit in life just because something is hard. In 1986 they served 6 months as fulltime missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints near Sacramento, California. In August of that year Kenneth died from the effects of heart disease leaving Mother for the next 31 years.

In 1988 Mother served a mission in Boston, Massachusetts during which time she was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. She underwent major surgery and received a full course of chemo therapy treatments during which time her total weight dropped below 100 lbs. But, through some promised priesthood blessings and the good care of her sister Norma Kinghorn Nelson and her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ she was miraculously healed and restored to full health and vigor with no lasting effects the remainder of her life.

On December 11, 2007 Gail’s 4th son Galen was killed with two other men in a small plane accident near Cedar City, Utah. Mother said it was very hard for a parent to bury a son. Later on Gail also had to see two of her daughters-in-law laid to rest. Connie Kay Schlueter Nelson (Ray) on January 11, 2015 and Dixie Lou Felberg Nelson (Dennis) on September 23, 2015.

During the past 31 years Mother lived surrounded by her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Today Gail’s family consists of 116 people, 7 sons and spouses, 35 grandchildren and 64 great grandchildren plus 2 on the way and 1 great-great grandchild.

Gail also served for 13 years as an ordinance worker in the Idaho Falls Temple. Over the years Gail has taught primary and served wherever asked in church callings. She has always loved her association with the members of the Annis Ward. She loves them and they love her.

Mother passed away peacefully in her sleep at 12:30 a.m. on January 6, 2018. She is the last of the World War II or “Greatest Generation” to leave us. Her passing truly marks the very end of an era. By coincidence Gail’s funeral services will be held at the same date and time as that of President Thomas S. Monson who is also the last member of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles who served in World War II.

Mother is a fighter and has always had a feisty personality. She holds strong opinions about everything in life including politics and world affairs. She has an independent spirit and is a fierce defender of the cause of work, liberty and freedom. No doubt she championed the message of freedom as taught by Jesus Christ in the pre-earth life. She will undoubtedly continue to support that cause in the spirit world now that she is reunited with her family and friends who have passed on before.

The funeral services will be held in the LDS Menan Stake Center located at 698 N 3600 E, Menan, Idaho 83434 on Friday January 12, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends and relatives at a viewing at the Eckersell Funeral Chapel located at 101 W Main, Rigby, ID 83442 on Thursday January 11, 2018 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. A viewing will also be held in the Menan Stake Center on Friday morning from 9:30 to 10:45 prior to the funeral services.

As Brothers and Gail’s sons we wish to express our deepest appreciation to our wives who are Gail’s daughters-in-law for their boundless service to our Mother in caring for her and helping her to maintain her independent living these many years.

We also express a special thanks to Lorie Clark with Helping Hands who diligently assisted Mother with showers, hair care, house work, and lots of love. We wish to express appreciation to the entire nursing staff at Madison Carriage Cove for their superb care and kindness shown to our Mother in her final days.

We wish to thank the Bishopric, Home Teachers, Relief Society Sisters and families and friends of the Annis Ward for their love and service to our Mother. We also express appreciation to all other friends and family members who are able to attend or participate in honoring our Mother’s life in anyway.


Sponsored by Ancestry

Advertisement

  • Created by: Kelly Howell
  • Added: Jan 8, 2018
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/186480877/gail-nelson: accessed ), memorial page for Gail Kinghorn Nelson (23 Dec 1917–6 Jan 2018), Find a Grave Memorial ID 186480877, citing Little Butte Cemetery, Annis, Jefferson County, Idaho, USA; Maintained by Kelly Howell (contributor 47798985).