Rulon And Nell Hyatt

Gunnison, Utah - Rulon J. Hyatt passed away peacefully October 5, 2021 at the age of 91. He was the last living child of Lancelot Newberry Hyatt and Annie Adella Decker. He was born April 16, 1930 on a farm in Dover, Utah (west of Fayette) and was the eighth of nine children. During his childhood years, he learned to be a skilled farmer working alongside his brothers and his "Pop." Rulon said that in his growing-up years he and his brothers never argued. After high school, Rulon married Nell Simper from Salina on June 5, 1948. They had three daughters: Barbara, Yolanda (deceased), and Betty. Rulon fulfilled his passion for farming on his own two farms, one in Dover and one in Clarion. He took great pride in having perfectly straight furrows in his fields and neatly stacked haystacks. Every hay harvest, Rulon loved having Nell by his side as they worked in the fields. She always went home with her hair full of hay. Rulon was also well-known for his expertise in operating a backhoe and other excavating machinery. He taught many others in Gunnison Valley to be skilled backhoe operators. When the Gunnison Stake Center was built (1970s), Rulon's Bantam cable-operated backhoe was the only machine that was able to dig the 15-ft. depth needed for the footings and foundation. He donated the use of his Bantam, another backhoe, fuel, and labor at the construction site. Rulon taught his daughters the value of hard work. A memorable piece of advice he gave them was, "It's not how much money you make; it's how you spend it." He was a hard-working, generous man, and a handshake was his word. He was a good listener and didn't say a lot, but when he spoke, everyone listened. His advice was golden. Georgia Nell Simper passed away peacefully October 10, 2021 at the age of 91. She was born September 27, 1930 in Salina, Utah to George Thomas Simper and Bertha Elnora Jensen and was the ninth of eleven children (ten girls and one boy). She was named after her father George, but she went by her middle name Nell for her entire life. However, her mother called her Georgie. During her childhood years, Nell and her family spent their summers at their farm in Gooseberry located in Salina Canyon. She took her turn every other day herding cows (and watching out for rattlesnakes) with her sister Lois. One of her favorite pastimes was listening to the old-fashioned radio, and they had to be quiet when her dad listened on boxing night. Nell grew up eating delicious pies that her mother baked in an old-fashioned wood-burning stove; she learned to be a skilled baker just like her mom. After graduating from North Sevier High School, she married Rulon from the neighboring town of Gunnison. Nell was known for her spunky personality and fun sense of humor. She loved visiting people and served endlessly by taking treats to neighbors, shut-ins, and the elderly. Nell taught herself how to sew, and she became a very skilled seamstress. Within a few hours, she could make a dress (copied from a dress in a magazine) for one of her daughters. Every granddaughter received beautifully-made nightgowns, and all the grandchildren received fun pillowcases for every holiday. She was so creative that she could build, repair, and upholster anything, even the seat on Rulon's tractor. Nell's favorite pastimes included shopping, especially for gifts for her daughters and grandkids. For herself, she loved to shop for shoes, coats, watches, and fabric ("material" in her words). She loved to play dominoes and cards and taught many card games to her grandchildren. During their retirement years, Rulon and Nell enjoyed traveling with their motorhome friends. They camped in Yuma and crossed the border to Mexico to shop, which was an opportunity to buy "gifts for everyone." Rulon and Nell were both members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Rulon and Nell are survived by their daughters: Barbara Saylor and Betty (Kelly) Peterson; 10 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchild due this month (Oct). Rulon is also survived by sister-in-law Carol Hyatt, and Nell is survived by sister Carole West. Rulon was preceded in death by daughter Yolanda; parents; brothers: Morlan, Elmo, Dearrel, Lance, and Gene; sisters: LaVell Hyatt, Elvona Busalacki, and Opal Nielsen; great-granddaughter Felicity Butler; son-in-law Lyn Saylor. Nell was preceded in death by husband Rulon J. Hyatt (Oct. 5, 2021); daughter Yolanda; parents; sisters: Bessie Beesley, Elaine Coates, Mary Robinson, Audra Gleaver, Lillian Reichert, Blanche Wittke, Lois Wittke, Jean Peterson; brother Blair Simper; great-granddaughter Felicity Butler; son-in-law Lyn Saylor. The family expresses its sincere appreciation to Dr. Wade Anderson, the medical personnel at Gunnison Valley Hospital, Gunnison Valley Home Care, At Home Health Care and Hospice (Salina), Mission at Community Living, and numerous friends and neighbors. Some lyrics from "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" seem somewhat relevant to Mom and Dad's eternal repose: If I get there before you do, (Coming for to carry me home) I'll cut a hole and pull you through. (Coming for to carry me home) If you get there before I do, (Coming for to carry me home) Tell all my friends I'm coming too. (Coming for to carry me home) Graveside services will be held on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. in the Gunnison City Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family at the Gunnison 5th LDS Ward Chapel in Centerfield, 230 South Main Street, in Centerfield, Saturday from 11:00 to 12:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Gunnison City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.