Katherine Ward Nelson passed away peacefully, the morning of October 4th, 2024.
Kathy was born February 28, 1948 in Cedar City, Utah. The fourth child of Parker Matheson Ward and Leora Jorgensen Ward. She loved her siblings. Kathy lost her mother to cancer when she was eight. A terrible situation became much more tolerable when Edith Shaw married Parker, adding her two children to the family.
Kathy lived in Salt Lake until 1963 when the family moved to Cedar City. She graduated from CHS. She was a proud member of the original Mohey Tawa and served as the president her senior year.
The summer of 1963, on a Greyhound bus (that her dad was driving) she first met Scott Nelson. Their friendship grew and lives to this day. They were married January 28,1967. Kathy and Scott had two sons. There was never a mother that loved her children more.
Kathy had many jobs in her life. She worked at the Dairy Freeze through high school. She worked at Coleman after they were married. She worked for several years at State Bank then around 1979 she went to work for SUSC in the book store. After a couple years she moved to the Registrars office and worked there until her retirement. From each of these jobs she made friendships that carry on today.
Kathy had a soft spot for veterans. Her father served in the Army in WWII. Her brother served in the National Guard. Through her job in the Registrars office Kathy was able to give back to the men and women that serve the country that she loved.
Almost from the beginning she became a member of NAVPA, the National Association of Veterans Program Administrators. She received the Presidents Award in 1991 for her efforts in publishing their monthly newsletter. She was eventually appointed to the Board of Directors and continued to serve the organization throughout her career.
Kathy, with the help of a couple of coworkers, started the SUSC (SUU) Veterans Day Observance. This patriotic program honored SUU alumni and local citizens that served in the military. The program included a poster contest where fourth grade students in Iron County were asked to express “What this Country Means to Me” through their art. The band from CHS was recruited to play service hymns and patriotic music. Over the years the program became very popular throughout the community, and it outgrew several venues. The program was a labor of love for Kathy. It cost her many sleepless nights and many tears.
Kathy’s actual job title was Veterans Coordinator. She helped veterans maximize the education benefits earned through their service. She was very good at it and made many friends along the way. After 19 years of service, she retired. Upon her retirement she was commended for her service to veterans by the Deputy Adjutant General of the Utah National guard. A very high honor, bestowed on very few civilians.
As much as she loved her veterans, she loved us more. Her family was the joy of her life. If you were lucky enough to have felt her love, you know. Blood or not. It didn’t matter to Grandma Kathy.
Kathy is survived by her husband Scott. Sons, Shane (Tricia) and Mac. Grandchildren, Amanda, Taylor, Shay and Ami. Great granddaughter Harper Quin Nelson. Brothers Joe (Diane) and Dave (Trista). Brothers-in-law Jim Buckley and Frank Bowler.
She was preceded in death by her parents and step-mother. Sisters, Marilyn, Laura and Ellen.
To everyone that cared for Kathy during her battle with dementia; We could not have done it without you. So many of you gave so much to her. We are deeply grateful.
A graveside service will be held at the Cedar City Cemetery on Saturday October 12th at 11:00 am. We invite you to join us in a celebration of Kathy’s life on Saturday October 12th from 2 to 4 p.m. at The Clark Center, 300 West Center Street, Cedar City, Utah. Final arrangements are under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences can be made at www.mortuary.org.