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Arva June Howell Nelson6/5/1930 ~ 12/21/2011Arva June Howell Nelson passed away peacefully December 21, 2011. She was born in Riverton, Utah on June 5, 1930 to Charles Albert and Pearl Miller Howell. Her parents moved several times in her early years before settling in Draper, Utah, where she learned to work on her father's farm, and attended Draper Elementary School. She graduated from Jordan High School, and later attended BYU, where she met her future husband, Karl K Nelson, whom she married on October 16, 1953 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.Arva was a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and her life reflected her devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. She served others in the youth programs of the church, as a ward relief society president, and often as ward organist and choir accompanist. She served those around her with a personal touch, which her children noticed and remembered. Everyone knew of her genuine love and concern. Even in her latest days, when communication by speaking became difficult, she expressed her very conscious wit and gentle love to everyone around her.Arva loved music and played and studied piano almost all of her life. She shared this love by teaching many students, and by frequently and expertly accompanying Karl's beautiful singing voice in church services, funerals, and other occasions. Karl was grateful for her gift. Arva's other hobbies included needle point, cross stitch, flower gardening, and being a kind neighbor.Arva served four LDS fulltime and service missions with her husband Karl: Denmark Copenhagen Mission, Utah Provo Mission office, LDS Social Services mission, and a church member locator mission.Arva and Karl became the parents of five children, whom she loved dearly: Steven (Leslie), Tanya (deceased), Linda, Barry (SueAnn), Kristen (Brian) Akers; eleven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Arva was looking forward to the birth of a fourth great-grandchild in April. Other survivors include her two sisters, Arlene (Alan) Christensen and Joan (Norm) Wood. Arva was preceded in death by her daughter, Tanya; her granddaughter, Nicole Mickelsen; and her brother, Kenneth Rex Howell.The family wishes to thank Inspiration Hospice and Bee Hive Homes of West Jordan for their truly loving assistance in Arva's last weeks and months.Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 11:00am in the River Ridge 8th Ward Chapel, 10191 South 1000 West, So. Jordan, UT. Family and friends may call Tuesday evening from 6:00pm-8:00pm at the same location, and again from 10:00am-10:45am Wednesday prior to the services. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.jenkins-soffe.com.

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