Grandma Mathis

Helen Christena Neilsen Mathis age 95, passed away on December 14, 2012 in Green River Utah. She was born in Mona, Utah on August 19, 1917 to John Strong Neilsen and Hazel Vest Neilsen. She was the third of thirteen children. After graduating from Juab County High School, Helen became a Registered Nurse through Salt Lake General Hospital. She began her nursing career in Carbon County after being hired by the Hospital Superintendent, Murray Mathis. They later married on august 19, 1939 in the Salt Lake Temple. He died June 1, 1993. Helen lived her entire married life in Price, where she raised five children and was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served in many callings, including more than a decade as a temple worker. A lifetime learner, she opened up her home to her grandchildren, nieces and nephews while they attended The College of Eastern Utah. Her interests included sewing, reading, bird watching, gardening, travel and feeding people. Her family is grateful for her legacy of faith and her nurturing generous spirit.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers and sister: John (Zola), Reed (Joan), and Mary (Arland), and two grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Stan (Jerilyn) Mathis, Castle Dale Utah, Ann (Lee) Thayn, Green River, Utah, Wayne (Dianne) Mathis, Stafford, Virginia, Mary (Boyd) Thayn, Wellington, Utah, Elizabeth Gardner, Altamont, Utah, 18 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren, brothers, James (Verdi), Paul (Edna), Calvin (Sarah), Grant (Roberta) and sister, Elaine. A special thanks to Community Nursing Services which enabled mom to remain at home.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Price LDS 4th Ward Chapel, 540 East 400 North. A viewing will be held on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Fausett Mortuary in Price, 680 East 100 South, and also on Wednesday one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Price City Cemetery. Services are in the care of Fausett Mortuary. Family and friends may sign the guest book and share memories of Helen at www.fausettmortuary.com.

Grandma was an elect lady as Uncle Wayne said today and I agree. She was such a great example to us. She had a love of music. So much that she payed for my piano lessons which I am so grateful for! There are so many more things I could say but I will just share a few memories I have and a couple I heard from other family members.

I remember meals at Grandma's house. They weren't meals until the placements were out and the table was set. The milk had to be set on the table as well and it was usually warm. None of my siblings or I liked warm milk so we would add ice to ours. Then we got smart and only put Grandmas milk out until it was time to eat. On the first night we would come she made spaghetti since it was my favorite food at the time. She would always have breakfast ready in the morning too. It always consisted of hot cereal.

Christmas Eve was spent at Grandma and Grandpa's house until the family got to big and Grandma to old. These were some fun times. I remember recorder playing. Nobody was ever together and no matter how many times you practiced, it still never came together. There was always a big Christmas Tree by the window with presents underneath. Christmas morning would come and Santa had found us and left many wonderful gifts.

Grandma was a gardener. That's where I would find her in the mornings. She had a beautiful collection of roses that smelled so sweet. Behind all the flowers were her vegetables and fruits. I remember once we were out picking cherry tomatoes and she was trying to make me eat them. I told her I didn't like them. Eventually I think I ate 1 so she would stop telling me to eat some. Her raspberries were to die for. I could almost mean literally because by the time you came out from picking you had scrapes all over.

One time Meg, Uncle Boyd, David, Kara, and I were playing soccer in the backyard. Now Grandma didn't have much lawn in the back. Right next to it were her roses. Well Uncle Boyd was going for the soccer ball and lost his footing and fell into the roses. The game ended and Boyd went in to wash his wounds. His legs were scraped up and down. Grandma came into the kitchen and took one look at Uncle Boyd and said "My Roses!" Then she went outside to check them before she came back in to see how Boyd was.

Grandma was very independent and was for a long time. My cousin Michael brought a walker for my Grandma to use to help her walk. As the story goes they put the walker in front of Grandma and on the count of 3 she was suppose to walk with it. So they counted and on 3 she moved the walker to the side of her and walked away without it.

Grandma has no sense of direction (must be where I get it from). On her Trip to Hawaii she had a what I would call a pretty big blond moment. She looked out over the ocean and asked, "Is this water man made?" Someone replied by saying, "Only if you believe in God lady."

Grandma had a bragging right. I remember the first time she told me it. We were in her bedroom and she had a picture of the Prophets on her wall. So she was pointing them out to me and she stopped at David O. McKay. She looked at me and then told me she was married by him and was kissed on the cheek. She always said she was kissed by a prophet.

May we always remember Grandma and the legacy she left us. Cherish the memories we have made. We love you Grandma and we all know that it's not the mostest.