Logan, Utah - Joan Madsen Nelson, 83, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, was called home to her Father in Heaven, September 13, 2006. She fought a valiant, short, battle with cancer after a long life of great health. Joan had the wonderful opportunity to be surrounded by family and express her great love to each of us.

Joan was born in Logan, UT, February 6, 1923, to Emmanuel and Teona Madsen. She lived her life in Logan, and married her high school sweetheart, Gerald L. Nelson, on September 25, 1941, in the Logan Temple.

Joan was well known for her homemaking skills, sewing, compassionate service, and church callings. She served 27 years in the Primary and 35 years in the Relief Society. She had a strong testimony of genealogy, temple work, and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Family events have always been the center of her world. Whenever an opportunity arose, family was together and she was planning the meals. Even in the hospital she was planning for Thanksgiving dinner. When Gerald retired, they spent time as snowbirds, square dancing, and traveling in their travel trailer seeing most of the states and LDS Church sites and temples. Over twenty winters were spent in Arizona, and St. George.

Joan is survived by her husband of 65 years, Gerald L. Nelson, children, Alan (Eva) Nelson, Benson, UT, Jennae (Ray) Fallows, W. Bountiful, UT, Teona (Richard) Jensen, Bicknell, UT, and G. Lynn (Laurie) Nelson, N. Logan, UT. She has a legacy of 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren with 3 more on the way. Matt and Cindy Stocks also hold a special place in her heart.

Her parents, 2 brothers, and her sister preceded Joan in death.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m., Monday, September 18, 2006, at the 19th Ward LDS Chapel, 1255 N 600 E, Logan, UT. Friends may call from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E Center, Logan, UT, and on Monday, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the church prior to the funeral. Interment will be in the Logan, UT, cemetery.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to the nurses and doctors at Logan Regional Hospital for their compassionate service.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at Allen Mortuaries.