She was educated in Spanish Fork and graduated from Spanish Fork High School in 1953. She married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, J. Wayne Nelson, on June 5, 1956, in the Salt Lake Temple. Her greatest joy and passion in life was supporting and spending time with her family.

Gloria loved sports and followed Spanish Fork High School athletics, BYU athletics and the Utah Jazz. Her favorite sport was baseball and, more specifically, Spanish Fork Dons Baseball.

Gloria loved the gospel. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served valiantly in many organizations. She was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

Gloria loved her job. She worked for over 40 years for Job Service (Utah Department of Workforce Services).

She was known for her kind nature and, because of that, she had many friends. Her warm smile and happy attitude attracted people. Gloria is survived by her children: Jim “Shoe” (Pat) Nelson, Richard (Allison) Nelson, Sandra (Matt) Jarvis, Jeffrey “Whites” (Cindy) Nelson; 14 grandchildren; 32 great-grandkids. She’s preceded in death by her husband, J. Wayne; her parents, Loren and Mary; her brothers, Bill and Glade; and her sister, Marilynn.

Funeral services will be held Wed, Sept 8, 2021, at 11 a.m. at the 19th Ward LDS Church, 585 N. Main Street, Spanish Fork, UT 84660. Viewings will be held Tues evening, Sept 7, 2021, from 6-8 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 187 S. Main, Spanish Fork, UT; and on Wednesday morning at the church, from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to the funeral service.

The family would like to thank the dedicated workers in the memory care unit at Spring Gardens in Mapleton for their amazing service and love shown to our mom. We would also like to thank Encompass Hospice for the great love and care they have shown our family.

Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.walkermemorials.com