Obituary: Ronda Lee Nelson

Ronda Lee Nelson 1944 ~ 2005 SALT LAKE CITY - Our sweet sister, aunt and friend, Ronda Lee Nelson, passed away on Sunday, November 13, 2005, after a long illness surrounded by her family and friends. She was born April 5, 1944, in Brigham City, Utah, to Martella and Hazel Atkinson Nelson. She was raised in Perry, Utah, along with two sisters, Gloria and Carol. Ronda attended Brigham Young University earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She had always wanted to work with children, so she started her career at Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, on June 6, 1966. She became head nurse on an adolescent unit and was a part of the development of the inpatient psych unit where she continued as the head nurse for many years. She wanted to improve her counseling skills, so she pursued her education at the University of Utah where she received a Master of Science degree in nursing and worked as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at Primary Children's Medical Center in the outpatient department. She provided counseling and medication management for children and adolescents where she touched many lives. She worked full time until 2000, but continued providing supervision and education for other psychiatric nurse practitioners until October 2005. Throughout her career she was the epitome of a caring professional. She owned a home in the Avenues and loved scrapbooking, gardening, entertaining friends, family gatherings, yard sales, and going out to lunch with her many friends. She especially loved traveling and has been to Mexico, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Europe, as well as all over the United States. Even though she was on dialysis the last few years, she did not let that stop her from the activities she enjoyed. She loved to collect what she calls "positive statements." A couple of her favorites were, "Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not" (Ralph Waldo Emerson). Also, "We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly embracing each other" (unknown). She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in several positions in the Relief Society and Young Women. She is survived by two sisters, Gloria (Marvin) Bennett, Logan, Utah; and Carol (Tom) Hurst, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; many nieces and nephews, a step-brother, Jerry (Faun) Rose, St. George, Utah; and a step-sister, Joan (Chesley) Pierson of Calgary, Canada. Preceded in death by parents, Martella and Hazel Nelson, and stepfather, Archie Rose. Special thanks to the many doctors and nurses at LDS Hospital, the Dialysis Center and those in the community who provided compassionate care. She will be sorely missed by her family and many friends. Although she had multiple health problems, she was always positive and continued to help and uplift others. Good night, sweet angel, until we meet again. Funeral services will be Saturday, November 19, 2005, at the Salt Lake Emigration Stake Center, 680 2nd Avenue (between "J" and "K" Streets) at 12:00 noon. Friends may visit at the stake center one hour prior to services and Friday evening, November 18, at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah from 6-8 p.m. Interment will be at Brigham City Cemetery following services next to her father and mother.