NELSON, Doris

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 06/26/2012 Doris Heap Nelson, 89, died June 19, 2012, in her hometown of St. Johns. She was born April 6, 1923 to Henry Ward and Etta Berry Heap. Doris was a loving wife and devoted mother, grandmother and friend. Her early life was spent on a ranch near St. Johns. After graduation, she went to Phoenix to work during the war. While there, she enlisted and trained as a Cadet nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital. It was during high school that she met her future husband and eternal companion, Wendell Marden Nelson. They were married in 1945. A few months later, they made their home in Eagar where she lived for nearly 67 years. Doris devoted her life to loving and teaching her children, helping her husband, serving others and being active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She willingly magnified her various callings, including her many years of service in the Mesa Arizona Temple. She was also an excellent record keeper who enjoyed working on Family History. Doris always found time to attend the important events of others and had a knack for making them feel special. She was also a valued member of the community, giving volunteer service whenever she could. She was a member of the hospital auxiliary and served on the election board. Many times she was called to help in emergencies at the hospital when they were short-handed. Her medical skills and special bedside manner were greatly appreciated by staff and patients alike. In the early years of married life, Doris enjoyed square dancing with Wendell and getting together with family and friends. She loved to camp and enjoyed gardening, canning and raising beautiful flowers. In winter, her hands were busy crocheting, quilting and making intricate pieces of hardanger embroidery. Her love of traveling took her many places, from driving the youth (including her children) to ballgames, conferences and dance festivals, to flying to Hawaii, Mexico and throughout the U.S. Doris lived a full life and will be remembered for her strong spirit, tender heart and shining example of perseverance and love. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Wendell, her parents, eight brothers and two sisters. She is survived by four children: Gary (Sherie) Nelson, DeRae (August) Meier, Donald (Linda) Nelson and Lewis (Melanie) Nelson; brother Norman Heap; sisters: LaVelta Patterson and Vera Blevins, 16 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held June 23 at the Eagar Arizona Stake Center on, 2012. Interment followed at the Eagar Cemetery. Burnham Mortuary of Eagar handled arrangements. Send an online condolence at www.burnhammortuary.com.