Earline Woolsey Nelson

Earline Woolsey Nelson passed from this life on February 15, 2017 in St. George, Utah. She was born on November 13, 1918 in Provo, Utah in her Aunt Eva Peay’s home, during the height of the flu epidemic and while her father was away during World War 1. Earline was the oldest of 7 children born to Earl and LaVern Hardy Woolsey. Raised in her beloved Escalante, Utah, she graduated from school in 1936, having acquired a love for bookkeeping, represented by her many meticulous records and cherished scrapbooks. Earline married Virgil Homer Nelson on September 9, 1937 in the Salt Lake City temple. Their lives were blessed with three sons, two daughters, and one foster son from Samoa, who all exemplify their parents’ grit and graciousness. The Nelsons moved to Green River in 1943 where they began to acquire farm and grazing land and an extensive herd of cattle. Having frequently experimented with melon farming, the Nelsons went “all out” around 1957 to build their melon kingdom, earning the titles, “Melon Queen and Melon King”. Homer passed away in 1977 after 40 years of marriage having built a family legacy of devotion through hard work and love of the land. Following her husband’s death, Earline, along with her family, continued the family’s success in the melon business. She also was the Head Cook for the school lunch program and served many years as the Green River Senior Citizen Center Director and Cook, retiring at the age of 86. Earline had a testimony of Jesus Christ and served faithfully in many callings in the LDS church, including: Primary Teacher, Stake Missionary, Relief Society Presidencies and President, Sunday School Secretary, and many others. Her detailed journals reflect a life full of selfless service. Earline loved the temple and was even at the temple the week before she passed selflessly serving unknown sisters from Slovakia. Her crafts range from crocheting, quilting, needle point, recovering furniture, making dolls and giraffes, making chocolates, watermelon novelties, collecting dishes, flowers, gardening, rocks, and most of all – genealogy. Sunday drives were a favorite as well. Earline has many blue ribbons from the Utah State Fair that attest to her many talents. Proceeded in death by her husband Virgil Homer (1977), five brothers: Hardy, Hal, Haynes, Klint, and Klint’s stillborn twin-James Woolsey; daughter-in-law Dorothy Nelson, son-in-law Lee Hofeling, and Great Grandson Robert James Nelson and one Grandson-in-law. Survived by her sister, Marjorie Shurtz; Sister-in-laws: Margaret LeFevre Woolsey and Joanna Metcalf Woolsey; Children: Bruce Nelson (Ann) of Green River, Carolyn Wilson (Richard) of St. George, Harold Nelson of Green River, Linda Woolsey (Bob) of Marysville, WA, Randy Nelson (Jackie) of Green River, Daughter-in-law Sharon Nelson of Moab, and foster son, Seti Matua (Olini) of Kearns. Earline has enjoyed her 37 grandchildren, 92 great grandchildren, and 27 great-great grandchildren. Her posterity count is at 224 and forever counting. The family would like to express sincere appreciation to Beehive Homes, The Seasons Health & Rehabilitation Center, Zion’s Way Hospice, Serenity Mortuary and the many doctors and nurses who provided such dedicated heartfelt care. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at the LDS Chapel in Green River, Utah. Family and friends may call at the Church for the viewing from 9:30 to 10:45 AM. With our sincerest love and gratitude, goodbye for now until our next heavenly watermelon bust.

Earline Woolsey Nelson

November 13, 1918 - February 15, 2017