Obituary-Fern Hopkins Nelson

 

"Everytime a bell rings an angel gets its wings." Bells were ringing

December 11, 2024, as our angel mother, Fern Hopkins Nelson, passed away. With her children by her side, Fern gracefully left this world and was taken home to a loving God and into the arms of her sweetheart and numberless loved ones, joining heavenly hosts to closely watch us from above.

Fern Hopkins was born in Soda Springs, Caribou County, Idaho on February 22, 1939, to Alma Reber Hopkins and Myrintha Tolman Hopkins. She was the youngest of seven children: Leora, Marva, Loyal Alma, Esther, Phyllis, Clifford Tolman, and Fern. She loved the fact that she was born on George Washington's birthday and was proud to donn the white wig at her school President's Day celebrations.

Fern was born arm first and never stopped reaching for perfection in her life. She reached out to God through prayer and scripture study, she strived to learn and study hard in school, she worked diligently to develop her talents in dance, music, art, sewing, crochet, knitting and anything she tried. Most importantly, she reached out to all who knew her with Christlike love.

Fern was a beautiful redheaded little girl who loved feeding baby lambs, riding ponies, playing with friends, tap dancing, and being the center of her family's life.

She despised being called "carrot top", having her braids pulled and hated wearing the color red because she said it made her freckles show and didn't look good with her orange hair.

Due to her parents working long hours ranching, herding sheep, health and other issues, Fern's siblings helped raise her. Her sisters and mother taught her to sew, quilt, and play the flute. She used her sewing skills to bless the lives of her children and made hundreds of baby quilts for her grand and great grandchildren.

Fern's sisters, Marva and Phyllis, had a large part in teaching her the gospel. When Fern was very young she remembered her sister Phyllis saying the following:

"Do you know there is no beginning and no end." Fern thought for a moment and then said, "We are born, and we die." Phyllis answered, "Yes, and we start school and we graduate. We know lots of things that start and end, that's why it is hard for us to understand, but God knows all things. There isn't anything He doesn't know. So, if there is something you don't understand, just trust God and someday you will understand." Fern never forgot that great truth.

Phyllis drove her thirty miles to Bancroft, Idaho so she could be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and receive the Holy Ghost; a gift she always treasured.

Fern's siblings tutored her in academics and they, along with her parents, encouraged her to do her best in school and in life. Following their footsteps, Fern graduated from Soda Springs High School in 1957 as the Salutatorian. Fern was also first chair flutist in her high school band and at Rick's College. She was active in the student council, editor of the yearbook, and especially loved seminary and her teacher Robert J. Matthews, who filled her with a love for the gospel. Those in the graduating class of 1957 remained close throughout the years and have sponsored a float in the Soda Springs Fourth of July parade every year for 67 years. Fern loved reuniting with her friends each year.

Fern met Daryl Fred Nelson when he moved to Soda Springs in ninth grade. They became high school sweethearts, and the rest is history. Their senior year of high school, Fern was the Homecoming Queen and Daryl was the captain of the football team. After graduating from high school, Fern and Daryl were married and sealed for eternity December 18, 1957, in the Logan L.D.S. temple.

Fern and Daryl attended Rick's College, in Rexburg, Idaho. Fern played the flute, and Daryl played the trumpet in the band and played football. It was here they started their family and would go on to have seven children: Brad Lester, Darla, Kurtis Alma, Penilee, Lisa, Moana, and Mindy. They were the most wonderful parents any kids could have. They would sing in the car, camp, hike, work, play and teach the gospel as they kept their covenants to each other and God.

These high school sweethearts had wonderful experiences teaching and serving in many places: Logan, Utah, Hagerman, Idaho, Thatcher, Idaho, New Zealand, Grace, Idaho, Soda Springs, Idaho, Laketown, Utah, and Fish Haven, Idaho. Daryl coached sports and taught school. Fern was an expert at shorthand, typing, and office work. She was employed as a secretary at Monsanto in Soda Springs for many years. Fern actively participated in her church, serving in the relief society, Sunday school, primary and youth programs, but primarily worked with the youth. Her favorite calling was teaching seminary. She was a dedicated teacher and loved sharing the gospel. She memorized hundreds of scriptures, the Articles of Faith, The Family Proclamation and The Living Christ. Her lifetime focus was perfection through Christ.

In 2003, Daryl and Fern returned to New Zealand as C.E.S. missionaries. Upon returning home they served many years as temple missionaries in the Logan, Utah Temple. Fern loved the temple. Up to the day she died she would rehearse in her mind the covenants she had made, determined to be prepared when she passed through the veil.

On June 12, 2018, Fern's sweetheart, Daryl, passed away. For the next six years, Fern continued to attend the temple faithfully with her brother, Loyal, and with her children. She made quilts for her grandchildren, visited Hawaii yearly, participated in Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, memorized the scriptures and shared her testimony and love with everyone.

Her wish was to be here in the flesh for the Second Coming of Christ, but her body said no. Dad needed her back to celebrate their sixty-seventh wedding anniversary. However, there is no doubt she will be one of the first to rise with the Savior when He comes again.

Fern is preceded in death by her husband, Daryl Fred Nelson, her daughter-in-law, Tammy Weston Nelson, two grandsons, Andrew and Caleb Pack, her parents, and all her siblings except her brother, Loyal.

She is survived by her brother, Loyal Alma Hopkins, her brother-in-law's, David Giles and John Beins, and her children: Brad Lester Nelson (Carmen), Darla Nelson Pack (David), Kurtis Alma Nelson (DeAnn), Penilee Nelson Stevens (Tom), Lisa Nelson Hannemann (David), Moana Nelson Kropushek (David), Mindy Nelson, and Tabbie Mayne (Goddaughter), 46 grandchildren, and 90 great grandchildren.

Fern was an angel on earth. In 2 Nephi 32:2-3 it says, "Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ"

Fern was filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke the "tongue of angels"-with power to deliver the words of Christ. There is no doubt she continues to reach out to us and is doing all she can to bring us eternally home. She is our Christmas angel.