Eloise King Nelson

Eloise King Nelson passed away Monday, November 7, 2022, just five days after celebrating her 89th birthday.

She was born on November 2, 1933 in Newport, Arkansas to Hurshel Thomas King and Gladys Marie Roberts. She was the oldest of their four children. 

On January 14, 1954, she married Jerry Dean Nelson in Cook County, Illinois. She was a wonderfully devoted mother to her three children: Sheri, Bud, and Mark. She was a loving grandmother to Jason, Danny, Missi, Mark David, Kim, Nikki, Kristen, Michael, Dean, Lance, Kelly, Maggie, Sara, and Brooke. 

Eloise was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout her adult life. One of her greatest joys was serving as an ordinance worker for the Las Vegas Temple for 25 years. She expressed that working there was the highlight of her week. She loved it so much she served until her health made it too difficult. For years she would make sure that family members, especially those going through trials, were listed on the prayer roll. 

Eloise was a competent career woman who had several exciting jobs. She did some modeling for Seventeen, Mademoiselle and several newspapers. She was a Public Relations Representative for RCA Victor (a recording studio), and she served as a manager of the wardrobe department for Opryland Theme Park in Nashville, Tennessee. 

She did some impressive traveling including Rome, Florence, France, Lisbon, Portugal, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, and London. But despite all the wonderful places she saw around the world, she readily admitted, “My favorite place is the United States!”

In 1982, she began to take sewing lessons. Over the next several years she hand stitched heirloom dresses, made with French lace, for each of her eight granddaughters.

An avid reader, she especially enjoyed religious books. She kept a daily journal for many years and was diligent in searching out ancestors to perform their temple work.

After living for close to 30 years in Tennessee they retired in Las Vegas. Eloise was the perfect hostess for her family, providing comfortable beds, delicious food, and great entertainment. Their swimming pool, hot tub, pool table, big screen tv and trampoline made their home the ultimate vacation getaway. She would even let the granddaughters try on her evening dresses from her modeling days. 

In her final years she moved to Hooper, Utah to be closer to her family. Eloise was a strong, determined and loving woman. We will miss her every day.

Eloise found peace and comfort in the gospel of Jesus Christ and it made her happy. “This part of my patriarchal blessing has always given me strength.” She once said as she read, “...You shouted for joy in the Counsel of Heaven when the Plan of Salvation was set forth.” The gospel gave her joy. Her strength and commitment to it has been a positive influence for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Eloise is survived by two sons, Jerry (Karen) Nelson, Jr. “Bud”, Herriman, UT; Mark David Nelson, Hooper, UT; 14 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Jerry Nelson; one daughter, Sheri Leak; her parents; sisters, Betty Stapleton, Shirley White and one brother, H.T. King. 

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at Lindquist’s Roy Mortuary, 3333 West 5600 South. The family will meet with friends Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary.

Interment, Hooper Cemetery.

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