1930 ~ 2018
Arlene Joy Fernley Nelson, 87, of Tooele, Utah, passed away peacefully on November 8, 2018.
Arlene was born November 11, 1930, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Wright Dennison and Gladys Lawrence Fernley. The third of four children, she spent her young childhood in Bountiful, Utah. Her family moved several times while she was growing up, living in Montana, New Orleans, Idaho and Oregon. She graduated in 1948 from Roosevelt High School in Portland, Oregon. She attended BYU and graduated in 1952 with a teaching degree. She taught first grade and kindergarten for 31 years in Huntington Beach, California; Tewksbury, Massachusetts, and Portland, Oregon. It was her most cherished profession; she loved teaching her students and helping them reach their full potential. She often said she never worked a day in her life because she loved teaching so much.
Arlene’s pride and joy were her six children, 23 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren. Arlene dedicated her life to her family and friends and was passionate about following the Spirit and serving those around her who needed a friend. She had a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Of all her many accomplishments, Arlene will be remembered as a doting mother and grandmother, an exemplary teacher and a friend to all who knew her.
Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, brother Dean, granddaughters Heather, Rachel and Amber, and great granddaughter Bailey. She is survived by her children, Rick (Jill) Bigler, Blackfoot, Idaho; Jana Coelyn, Portland, Oregon; Debra Winchester, Nashua, New Hampshire; David (Patty) Bigler, Fresno, California; Mikkel (April) Nelson, Boise, Idaho; Jeanine (Doug) Richens, Tooele, Utah; and siblings, Alice Lorraine McCall, Mint Hill, North Carolina; and Carolyn (Dale) Felix, Washington, Utah.
Funeral services will be held Friday, November 16, 2018, at 10 a.m. at the LDS church, 2032 Churchwood Dr., Tooele, Utah. Interment will immediately follow at the Bountiful City Cemetery. A viewing will be held prior to the funeral from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers or donations, the family suggests the best way to honor Arlene would be to spend a little extra time with the child or children you love, or to contribute your time or money to programs that help improve the lives of children.
Online guestbook at www.russonmortuary.com