Venita M. (Taylor) Nelson

Venita M. Nelson passed away peacefully on June 2, 2023, at the Skilled Nursing Facility at Bear Lake Memorial Hospital. She was born on March 17, 1933, in Felda, Florida to John and Annis Taylor. Her father died when she was young, and her mother was remarried to Harvey McCain. She was an only child, and lived her childhood years in Florida, leaving to attend college at Vanderbilt and Belmont College. She graduated with a Master’s Degree in English Literature, with a minor in French and Latin. She was fluent in French, and taught French, Latin, Greek Mythology and English at Skyline High School (Idaho Falls) and eventually moved to Eagle Rock middle school to teach junior high English until she retired. She enjoyed the arts, was an avid reader of poetry and English literature, and appreciated classical and country music.

She was a talented seamstress and made her own clothing, embroidered and quilted.

Venita married Paul Nelson March 26, 1959, in Ogden, Utah. They met while both teaching school in Utah and moved to Idaho Falls a year or so later, where they resided for over 30 years. They were happily married for over 62 years, and she never really got over the loss of her husband Paul, to Covid in 2021. Venita was an active member of the LDS Church, converting to LDS in the 1980s. She and Paul began attending church together and she remained active until the time of her passing.

She had a beautiful soprano voice and was gifted on the piano. She enjoyed daily walks with Paul, and was fond of animals, with a special interest in birds. She had a green thumb and grew gorgeous roses bushes and various other plants. She enjoyed baking and made Christmas candy which was often gifted to friends and family.

Venita and Paul moved to the Bear Lake Valley after they both retired. She often commented on the friendliness, kindness and generosity of friends and neighbors in Paris. Prior to retiring, they traveled extensively on summer vacations, and visited 48 of the 50 states and Canada.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Paul, and her stepdaughter, Debbie Gillespie (Montpelier, ID). She is survived by her son, Brent Nelson (Phoenix, AZ), 5 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.

Services are to be held at Schwab Matthews Funeral Home in Montpelier.

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