Dean Nelson

Dean Laurel Nelson, 78, of Idaho Falls, passed away April 28, 2018, peacefully at his home after battling dementia. He was under the care of his family and Alliance Hospice. Dean was born December 2, 1939, in Afton, Wyoming, to Loren Nelson and Edith Elnora Venter Nelson. He grew up in Idaho Falls and attended schools at Riverside Elementary, O.E. Bell Junior High and graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1959. On February 24, 1961, he married Carma Lee Aird in the Idaho Falls, Idaho, LDS Temple. To this union were born five children, Larry, David, Gary, Alan, and Linda. Dean and Carma made their home in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where Dean worked as a carpenter building multiple homes in Idaho Falls. He was a member of the local carpenter’s union. He also worked in the carpenter shop at NRF, and as a real estate developer. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as a Scout Master, Elder’s Quorum President, High Priest Group Leader, as a Ward Clerk for four Bishops. He also served in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple for three years. Together, Dean and Carma served as Missionaries at the Bishop’s Storehouse where Dean served for eight years. He enjoyed wood carving, wood turning, and was a master of many things. Dean is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Carma Nelson of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Larry Dean (Melanie) Nelson of Idaho Falls, ID; son, David Loren (Christine) Nelson of Rigby, ID; son, Gary John (Debbie) Nelson of Idaho Falls, ID; daughter, Linda Lee (Richard) Harper of Rigby, ID; daughter-in-law, Cynthia Nelson of Springville, UT; sister, Denice (Peyton) Dennis of Bountiful, UT; brother, Ken (Karen) Nelson of Salt Lake City, UT; 16 grandchildren and 3 ½ great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Marilyn Walker and Gwen Nelson, and his son, Alan Gerald Nelson. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 3, 2018, at Idaho Falls LDS St. Leon Ward, 6925 North 15th East, with Bishop Darren Berrett officiating. The family will visit with friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road, and from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Thursday at the church. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the LDS Humanitarian Fund, 15 East South Temple 2nd Floor East, Salt Lake City, UT 84150 or online at https://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humanitarian-services.html.

Funeral Services will be held