Elsa Elizabeth Nelson De Mann Obituary (1932 - 2015)

Elsa Elizabeth Nelson DeMann, devoted and beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away July 4 after a months-long battle with lung and heart problems. She was 83. Born Jan. 7, 1932, to Helding Rosenquist Nelson and Maud Eliza Ash, in American Fork, UT, she grew up in Lindon, Utah Co., and Salt Lake City. She attended Emerson Elementary, Roosevelt Jr. High and East High School. She played the cello in the school orchestra. Elsa loved music and was a member of the Sacra Dulce Choir for several years. She attended the University of Utah for a year before going to work full time. Elsa met her husband to be, Jack DeMann, in 1952 when they were working at a local hardware company. They were married Nov. 17, 1955. A life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served in many capacities throughout her lifetime. As a young woman she was active in the Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association. After her marriage, she served many years in both the Primary and Relief Society organizations as both an officer and a teacher. She most cherished her 19 years teaching the 11-year-old boys in the Primary. Boys of that age are taught about the Aaronic Priesthood and how to use it to honor and serve God and their fellow beings. She had the privilege of having all five of her sons in the class during those years. Two other church callings provided her with great personal satisfaction: serving in the Relief Society presidency in the branch at the Murray Care Center in the late 1990s and as Relief Society President at the Cottonwood Hospital Branch from late 1999 to the summer of 2003. Both assignments gave her the opportunity to serve patients and their families at all hours of the day and night, seven days a week. Complete dedication to her husband and her sons was another of her hallmark. Her greatest challenge as a mother came in 1978, when her fourth son, Clayton, died at the age of 14 after a six months' battle with cancer. In so doing, Elsa gained experiences and knowledge about the eternal nature of life which aided and comforted her for the remainder of her life, especially her last months of illness. Elsa was also equally devoted to her husband and sons. She took on additional household responsibilities to support Jack, in his career and the many church, community, and civic responsibilities he undertook during their nearly 60 years of marriage. The same was true for her sons. When they needed her support, she was always there--PTA, being a room mother, helping with musical programs or little league and high school sports. Her life was focused on her family! She is survived by her husband, Jack; four sons: Bryan (Pam), Alan (Wini), Dwight (Wendy) and Mogie (Karen); 26 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. She was blessed that her sons "married so well" that she had four daughters, not daughters-in-law. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 11, at 11 a.m. at the Murray Little Cottonwood Stake Center, 6180 Glen Oaks Dr. (850 East), Murray. Friends may also call there to visit with the family Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Murray City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Elsa requested contributions be sent to the Primary Children's Medical Center or the LDS Church Missionary Fund. The family thanks IHC Hospice Services and the staffs of Beehive Health Homecare and Rocky Mountain Care. Funeral services provided by Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary (www.jenkins-soffe.com). Funeral Home: Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary-Murray 4760 South State Street Murray, UT United States 84107