On August 23, 2014 our beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Ruth Pryor Nelson, was doing what she loved more than life itself, spending time with one of her grandchildren, Jacob, when they were both suddenly called home to their Heavenly Father.
On November 21, 1947 Ruth was born to two loving parents, Lloyd and Bonnie Ellis Pryor. At a young age Ruth learned the value of hard work. She spent countless hours with her dad in his wood shop. She is an accomplished violinist. She and her sisters were a well known string quartet and played often for the folks in the Taylorsville-Granger area. God blessed Ruth with a beautiful voice! She sang in many choirs. She enjoyed canning and was a great cook. She was an obsessive square dancer, dancing across the western states.
She married Michael Theron Olsen in the Salt Lake Temple in 1968 and they had five children; he preceded her in death. Married Kirt Soderquist in 1997; he preceded her in death. Married D. Gary Nelson in 2009.
Mom was a straight A student. She graduated Valedictorian in 1967 from Granger High School and attended the University of Utah. Her passion was helping people get well. She was an angel on earth. She cared more about people than things. Ruth was an office manager at Best Chiropractic for 25 years with Dr. Perry Lofthouse, 14 years working with her son, Dr. Wayne M. Olsen. She helped and made friends with thousands of patients who love her dearly. Mom has finally retired! Ruth's family was her greatest accomplishment. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she served in many capacities. She showed all of us how to love the Lord, inspiring all five of her children to serve missions. Ruth and her amazing husband, Gary, tried to make it to every sporting event, dance and musical recital. She was a great softball player in her day, her friends fittingly called her "Babe Ruth". Ruth loved all of her children whether they be Olsen, Soderquist or Nelson.
Survived by husband, Gary; children: Rodger (Nicole), Wayne (Jenny), Deanne (Robert) Brown, Jack (Jodi) and Ronda (Matt) Freed; beloved stepchildren; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters, Margaret (Dan) Williams, Rosalee (Grant) Oakeson; brother-in-law, Alan Arnesen; brothers, Thomas (Eileen) Pryor and John (Marcia) Pryor. Also preceded in death by parents; sister, Echo; son-in-law, Carlos Santos; grandson, Jacob Santos; niece, Annette Nelson; nephews, Kurt Nelson and Cameron Clark.
Funeral services will be held Friday, August 29, 2014, 11:30 a.m. at the Welby Stake Center, 8841 South 4800 West, West Jordan. Viewings will be held Thursday, August 28, 2014, 5-9:00 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road, Taylorsville, and Friday, August 29, 2014 at the church, 10-11:00 a.m. Interment, Crescent Cemetery.
