Lorene Ricks Nelson

Lorene was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 23, 1929, the daughter of Walter and Katherine Kelly Ricks. Passed away on April 17, 2019 from complications of Alzheimer’s in West Valley City, UT.

She started school early at the age of 4 ½ and she skipped the eighth grade. She graduated from Cyprus High School at the age of 16. After high school, she attended the University of Utah and then traveled back east and worked at the Pentagon for a short time. She married Don Jay Nelson December 3, 1949 in Ely, NV. After 54 years of marriage, Don passed away in 2007.

After their first child was born, she became Associate Editor for What’s What Publications in SLC, later known as the Daily Record. She worked off and on from 1950 through 1965 while having three more children. She became Asst. Office Manager and Accounting Clerk from 1965 to 1985 for Stauffer Chemical Company, later known as Chevron Chemical, Co. During much of this time, she also managed the Stauffer Chemical Credit Union out of her home. In 1970 she was promoted to Office Manager at Chevron Chemical and retired in 1979.

She enjoyed photography and had one of her southern Utah landscapes photograph published in the Utah Holiday Magazine, in May 1987. She and her husband traveled to many countries and also loved camping in Utah. She loved Jazz and Classical music and saw many of her favorite musicians in concert. She also loved sewing with her daughters and she was involved with the PTA.

Lorene is survived by her brother, Ralph Ricks; and her sister, Marilyn Ricks Blatt. Also by her children, Virginia (Sam) Mascarenas, Rebecca Van Liere (Ray Davis), David K. Nelson (Tamara) and Patricia (Alan) Wilson. Also, six grandsons, Jason Rider, Dax (Jamie) Mascarenas, Austin (Jenna) Mascarenas, Loren Wilson, Ryan (Leza) Van Liere and Matthew (Amanda) Wilson as well as 5 great-granddaughters and 5 great-grandsons.

Funeral services will be held at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road, Taylorsville, Utah on Monday, April 22, 2019 at 1:00pm with a viewing from 12:00pm to 12:45pm prior to the services. Interment, Valley View Memorial Park, 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City, Utah. Casual dress, optional. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation or the Juvenile Diabetes Association.

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