The family and friends of Catherine Jones Nelson would like to bid an affectionate farewell to a lovely, kind lady who graduated from this Earthly existence on March 17, 2020. As the third of four children, she was born on June 10, 1938, in Huntington, Utah, where she lived and thrived as a country girl.

A date with James (Jim) Nelson of Ferron led to an eternal marriage on December 7, 1956, in the Salt Lake Temple, and they recently celebrated their 63rd year together. With her companion, Catherine was blessed with two children, Margaret (Rafael) Gonzalez of Riverton, Utah, and Joseph (Maxine) Nelson of Sturgis, Michigan.

She studied cosmetology and briefly practiced in her early adult years, but her true love was the education of children. After studying at the College of Southern Utah, she taught at Huntington Elementary and Castle Dale Elementary, primarily the 1st grade, and was known as “Mother Bear, Protector of Children” where she opened the world to many by teaching them to read.

She enjoyed painting, never turned down a bowl of ice cream, had a serious passion for jewelry, and loved her winters and friendships in Quartzsite, Arizona.

When she was told that she was loved, her response was, “I love you more than you can know, ” which she demonstrated rather than voiced.

Catherine looked to the Savior throughout her life, saw to the needs of others and with her husband served missions in Roseville, California, and Cove Fort, Utah.

Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Vonda Sherman Jones, her stepmother Lavarda DeFriez Jones, her brother Larry and sister Valaine. She is survived by her husband Jim, sister Glenna (Gary) Kofford, children, 7 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

The family would like to express appreciation to Emery Medical Center, Castleview Hospital, Symbii Home Health and Emery County Care Center.

Viewing Saturday, March 28, 2020 at 10-11 a.m. at the Fausett Mortuary in Castle Dale with metered entry and exit implemented to meet the Covid-19 virus precautions. Service for immediate family members with live-streaming at 11:30 a.m. and interment at 1:00 p.m. at the Ferron Cemetery. Join us for live-streaming on Facebook – Fausett Mortuary page at time of service.

Family and Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.fausettmortuary.com.