Kenneth Waldemar Nelson

Kenneth Waldemar Nelson passed away on November 23, 2023 due to natural causes at the age of 96. He passed away in the same home he was born in on August 21, 1927. Kenneth had a great love for the Nelson family homestead and the legacy and history that it provided. He loved reminiscing of working on the farm, milking the cows, and getting the chores done quickly so that he and his brothers could play. 

Kenny was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served as a High Priest. 

Kenny attended school in Morgan. He was involved in sports but loved and excelled in basketball. To this day, Kenny could retell so many play by plays of those games. His stories also included siphoning gas from cars to get to away games and being tossed from games for unsportsmanlike conduct. 

Kenny married his first wife Lucille Kippen in the Manti LDS temple on September 7, 1950. Her time on this earth was cut short and she passed away on April 27, 1956. After a few years and spiritual promptings he was married to Neeta Kippen on May 4, 1963. They were later sealed for time and all eternity in the Ogden LDS Temple on their 10th wedding anniversary in 1973. This year they celebrated 60 years of marriage. 

Kenny learned at a young age the value of hard work. He was employed with Weber Basin, Swift Meat Packing, Delmonte Canning, and retired from Holcim Cement Plant after 30 years of service. He also served the community as a County Commissioner, as President of the Milton Cemetery, and held many LDS church callings. He chaired the Milton Basketball Tournament and was proud of his accomplishments.  He refereed many church and community basketball games.

Kenny was involved with the planning and dedication of the Veterans Memorial at the Morgan County office building.  It was an act of love in honor of his two older brothers Norris and Burton Nelson and other Morganites who had served their country. Kennys brothers gave their lives in World War II. He was always proud of their service, but filled with much sorrow for their loss. He was always reading and educating himself on that war to try to find peace in their deaths. 

Kenny loved playing guitar in the “Nelson Brothers Band”. The members of the band changed and evolved from brothers to nephews and dear friends, with Kenny always being the anchor. Many people enjoyed listening and dancing to their music at various community events over the years. 

Through his continued service he always tried to leave things better than he found them.  

Kenny is proceeded in death by his first wife Lucille, his parents Walter Carl and Nellie Elizabeth Nelson, and his brothers and sisters Grant, Florence, Homer, Carl, Ethel, Mary, Maddie, Norris, Nina, and Burton.

Kenny is survived by his loving wife Neeta and His children Kevin (April) Nelson, Alana (Patrick) Heinrich, Tracia (Mitchell) Francis, Travis (Kristene) Nelson, RoxAnn (Casey) Ovard, Haley (BobbyJo) Winn, 19 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. 

If I were to sum up Kenny’s life, I would say he survived tragedy. The loss of his two brothers, his mother, and his first wife. He married a beautiful girl, went on to raise a beautiful family, and used his talents well. He’s very kind and thoughtful to others. 
-taken from a life sketch by Kenny’s sister Mary.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Dad’s health care teams with Envision Home Health Care and A+ Homecare. They have been amazing as they have loved and cared for our dad/grandpa, mom and family.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday Evening, November 28 from 5-7 PM at the Walker Mortuary, 45 West 200 North Street, Morgan, Utah. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 29 at 11 AM at the Milton LDS Chapel, 1255 North Morgan Valley Drive, Morgan, Utah. A viewing will be held at the church preceding the funeral from 9:30-10:30 AM. Interment will be at the Milton Cemetery.