Ellen N. Blackburn

Richfield, Utah - Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend, Ellen Nelson Blackburn, returned home to her Heavenly Father on March 30, 2011 in Provo, Utah at the age of 89. She was born June 4, 1921 in Fremont, Utah, a daughter of Lewis Peter and Della Amelia Taylor Nelson and the fifth of eight children. She married her eternal sweetheart, Deward Elias Blackburn, June 4, 1940 in the Manti LDS Temple. He preceded her in death on September 6, 1988. She later married Willis Spafford, June 9, 1992 in Manti, Utah. He died August 2, 2004. Her early years of school were in Fremont, and later graduated from Wayne High School in Bicknell, after which she enrolled in cosmetology school in San Francisco. The years with Deward were spent in Loa. After retirement, they moved to Richfield, where they built a home and became custodians of the Pahvant Elementary School. They learned to love this job because of the friendships that were developed there. She reluctantly retired from this job at 80 years of age. She was a hard worker and loved gardening and raising beautiful flowers. She was a wonderful cook and was most happy when the family all got together for family dinners. Ellen was an active member of the LDS Church and served in many callings throughout her life. She loved to attend church every week. She is survived by her children, Sharla and Val Chappell, Tonya and Noel Bailey, all of Richfield; Kimble Deward and Mary Carole Blackburn of Bountiful; step-daughter, Anna Alle Gardner of Richfield; 13 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-granddaughter; brother and sister: Lars and Rhea Nelson, Berneal and Dee Hatch, all of Loa; sisters and brothers–in-law: Etta Nelson of Loa; Mont and Elaine Ellett of Bicknell; Lewis and Donna Blackburn, and Elda Ellett, all of Fremont. She was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters: Vern Nelson, Kirk Nelson, Dorothy Ellett, Ione and Wayne Blackburn, Twila and Fremon Sorensen; sister-in-law: Anita B. Nelson; two grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. The family would like to extend a special “Thank You” to Frances Turner and Shari Bown for the tender, loving care they have shown our dear Mother. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 1l:00 A.M. in the Richfield 2nd and 10th LDS Ward Chapel, 675 West 200 South in Richfield. Friends may call for viewing at the Springer Turner Funeral Home in Richfield, Friday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or at the ward chapel, Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Richfield City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.