1919 ~ 2004

Our sweet mother and grandmother, Ruth Greenwood Nielson, returned home peacefully to her Heavenly Father on Friday, May 14, 2004.

Ruth was born August 31, 1919, in Richfield, Utah, the daughter of William Simeon and Lucille Calloway Greenwood. She married her sweetheart, Jack Roger Nielson on September 21, 1940. Their marriage was solemnized in the Manti temple on January 22, 1964. Roger preceded her in death on June 19, 1977. Our family is so happy to know that after 27 long years, they are reunited at last.

Ruth and Roger are the parents of five children: Jack and Pam Nielson of American Fork, Reid and Helen Nielson, Kirt Nielson, and Carolyn and Paul Reid all of Spanish Fork, and Margo and Rod Erickson of West Jordan. Grandma and Grandpa also have an extensive posterity of 34 grandchildren, 60 great-grand-child-ren and six great-great-grand-children. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, and three siblings: Burt Greenwood, Ardell Durocher, and Bill Greenwood, as well as one grandson, William Reid Nielson. She is survived by one sister, Anne Olsen of Sandy, and one brother, Steve (Pat) Greenwood, of Nephi.

Ruth lived her younger years in Richfield, Utah. She graduated from Sevier High School in Richfield. After her marriage, she lived for a number of years in Monroe, Utah, and moved to Spanish Fork in 1956. For 18 years, Ruth was a knowledgeable and friendly face at the Sears store in downtown Provo. She worked there in many capacities and departments from 1964 until her retirement in 1982. She was the first woman to sell appliances and large power tools in the Provo store, and is still remembered by her fellow employees and customers as a vibrant part of Sears' history.

A lifetime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ruth served faithfully in many different areas in the church. One of her favorite experiences was serving as a temple worker. She served at the Provo Temple for 10 years. She especially loved seeing the missionaries from the MTC coming to the temple.

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In her later years, Ruth suffered a stroke. She proved once again to her family and friends how determined she could be as she relearned how to walk and talk. She did so with stalwart perseverance, an unfailing positive attitude and her great sense of humor. Ruth is a beautiful example of what it means to truly endure to the end.

The family would like to thank IHC Hospice and especially Jan Ryan. For the past few years, Ruth lived at the home of her daughter Margo, where she was cared for with great patience and love. There has been so much loving care and concern shown for "Grandma-Great" by so many different people, that we just want to thank all of you for your examples of love and kindness.

A viewing will be held Wednesday, May 19, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. at the Spanish Fork Stake Center, 1006 E. 200 S. in Spanish Fork. The funeral will be immediately following, at 1:00 p.m. in the same location. Interment will be in the Spanish Fork City Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.walkerfamilymortuaries.com.

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