Nelda Sorensen

Salina, Utah - Our beloved mother, grandmother and “Grandma-Great”, Nelda Fern Zufelt Sorensen, age 94, of Salina, died November 22, 2008 at the home of her daughter in Gunnison, where she had been living for the past five years. She had a frail, worn out little body, which housed within, a giant of a spirit and a large heart of gold. Nelda was born March 2, 1914 in Vermillion, Utah, a daughter of Richard Valentine and Sarah Elizabeth Robinson Zufelt, the third of fourteen children. Nelda was an extraordinary person. She sped through school at Richfield High School, skipping every other grade because of her high intellect. She graduated from high school at the age of 14 ½. She married Marlin J. Sorensen on November 14, 1932 in Richfield, Utah. He died November 8, 2003 and was buried one day before their 72nd Wedding Anniversary. Nelda was a gifted artist, talented beyond the norm, in painting and creating porcelain dolls and figurines, an immaculent home maker, seamstress, wife and mother. She was also a lapidarist, wood and furniture restorer and finisher. She had a passion for collecting antiques and glassware, and she could take a rod and create a chandelier, fit for kings and queens. She loved bridge, breaking horses with Marlin, picnics, hunting arrowheads and rocks. In the wintertime of her life, she loved to see the sunsets, the clouds, the birds, evening walks and the vapor trails of the airplanes. Nelda was proud of her brothers who were renown jockeys in the 40's and 50's. She was a member of the LDS Church, serving in many callings in the mutual and primary, cub-scout teacher and ward librarian for 13 years. According to her own eyes, her sons’ were always the smartest and her daughters’ were always the prettiest. Her children are: Marlin and Diane Sorensen of Hurricane; Gwen and Rae Noyes of Salina; Lois Jeanette and Lee Malmgren of Gunnison; Barry Desmond and Nao Sorensen of Austin, TX. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; 25 Great-Great-Grandchildren; sisters and brothers: Madge Knight of St. George; Mary Emma Collings of Poulsbo, WA; Peggy Lou Susjani of Kent, WA; Douglas Zufelt of Palo Alto, CA; Gary Zufelt of Carmichael, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents; seven brothers and one sister. Mama, you were a perfect little antique doll, who will never be forgotten and will always be loved and cherished. Grave side services will be held Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 12 Noon in the Salina Pioneer Cemetery. Friends may call for viewing at the Springer Turner Funeral Home in Salina, Tuesday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Burial will be in the Pioneer Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.