Berneal Nelson Hatch

Loa, Utah - Berneal Hatch, age 91, of Loa, Utah passed away peacefully Dec. 10, 2015 in Loa, Utah surrounded by her sweetheart husband and children. She was born March 17, 1924, the sixth of eight children, to Lewis and Della Taylor Nelson in Fremont, Utah. She spent her childhood on the family farm in Fremont and graduated from Wayne High School where she made lifetime friends. She married her handsome and charming World War II soldier, Dee Barlow Hatch, on April 19, 1946 in the Manti LDS Temple. This union was the beginning of a 69 ½ year love affair. They were blessed to welcome into their family five daughters and one son. They lived their lives together in Loa, Utah where they focused on keeping their family united, living gospel values, and serving others. Mom loved to entertain friends and family in her home with music, food, and fun. She was Dad’s greatest fan as he played his accordion and harmonica in various music groups and she cherished the friends they made through music. She was an active member of the LDS Church, never wavering in her testimony of her Savior Jesus Christ. She served faithfully in many callings and was instrumental in composing the first Wayne County cookbook. She loved family history and family reunions. Mom’s legacy to her family was endurance without complaining and service to others. Mom and Dad were master gardeners and loved sharing their produce from their “Garden of Weedin’”, and canning and preserving all their fruits and vegetables. Her example will be passed on for generations through her family. Her handmade quilts are treasures to each of her children and grandchildren. Mom and Dad are the proud parents of six children: Yvonne (deceased) and David Johnson, Orem, Utah, Susan and Bob Bagley, Aurora, Utah, Carol Ann and Doug Robinson, Torrey, Utah, Maridee and Dennis Hiskey, Teasdale, Utah, Janae and Larry Blake, Richfield, Utah, and Chris and Linda Hatch, St. George, Utah. She was so proud of and is survived by 24 grandchildren and 80 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother and sisters-in-law, Mont (Elaine) Ellett and Rhea Nelson; brothers-in-law: Gordon Hatch, Zane Hatch and Thad Torgersen. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Yvonne Johnson, two great-grandchildren—Taylor Okerlund and Xavier Hatch; her parents, and her siblings, Ione (Wayne) Blackburn, Vern Nelson, Twila (Fremon) Sorensen, Kirk (Etta) Nelson, Ellen (Deward) Blackburn, Lars (Anita) Nelson, and Dorothy Ellett. Our thanks to Gunnison Hospice, Serenity Springs Assisted Living in Loa, and Stonehenge Rehabilitation of Richfield for their tender care of our mother. Mom, we love you with all our hearts. Thanks for the life lessons you taught us, for your sacrifices and a loving home where everyone felt welcomed. Above all, thanks for being Dad’s “precious” sweetheart. We will miss you! Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. in the Loa Utah Stake Center. Friends may call for viewing Tuesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Springer Turner Funeral Home in Richfield, or at the Stake Center in Loa, Wednesday morning from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. prior to services. Burial will be in the Koosharem City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.