Mavis Spencer Nielson passed away on Monday, May 25, 2015 in Delta, Utah at age 91. Mavis was born on January 29, 1924 in Escalante, Utah to Samuel and Harriet Esther Wilson Spencer. She attended Escalante Elementary, High School and Seminary. She was the Valedictorian of her class. She graduated in 1942. After graduation, Mavis went to LDS Business College in Salt Lake City.
Mavis was introduced to Gayle Roper Nielson on a blind date. They were married in the Manti LDS Temple on July 29, 1955. They moved to Oak City to begin their life and raise their children. Being born and raised down on the farm, she learned early the value of being self sufficient. She was a wife, mother, and homemaker first; and she knew how to bake bread, raise a garden, make soap, and thrive using the things the earth provided her to feed and sustain her family.
Mavis was active in the LDS Church, serving 3 missions: first as a young Sister to Canada, and later with Gayle on two missions to Samoa. She has a strong testimony of the Mission of the Lord Jesus Christ, of his gospel and teachings, and the truthfulness of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the value of attending church, reading scriptures, and living the gospel and teachings of Christ. She taught His principles to her family.
Mavis was preceded in death by her husband: Gayle; children: Jay Lynn, Dianne, and a baby boy; parents; brothers: Thurman, Herschel, and Orson; sisters: Camilla and Zada. She is survived by her children: Spencer Gayle Nielson, Thomas S. Nielson, Jolene Nielson Inokuchi; brother: Cecil Spencer; 16 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2015, at 11:00 am at the Oak City LDS Church, 35 East Center. Viewings will be held on Friday evening, 6:30-8:00 pm, at the Oak City Church; and Saturday, 9:30-10:40 am, prior to the service. Interment will be in the Oak City Cemetery.