Ruth Erma Hansen Nielson

Ruth Erma Hansen Nielson, a brief history
DUP report 2004
I, Ruth Erma Hansen was born on Friday, November 13th, 1920, in Elsinore, Sevier County, Utah, creating considerable excitement in the family and in the community, due to the fact that I had been preceded in birth by eight brothers in succession. My only sister was the oldest child in the family born in 1903. [Parents: Louis Hansen and Anina Kirstina Andersen]
My childhood through the 3rd grade was spent happily in Elsinore, where my father was a trustee of the Monroe State Bank, a merchant, fruit farmer, barber, and the best ice cream maker in the county. People came from all the surrounding communities for my mother’s chili served in Dad’s store. She was the first to introduce chili in that part of the state.
A few weeks before the financial crash of 1929 the family moved to Salt Lake City where we resided in the 17th Ward, Salt Lake Stake. There, I attended the Washington Grade School and served as secretary while in the 6th grade. Then onto Horace Mann Junior High and the West High School where I graduated in June of 1938. Bro. Wm. E. Berrett invited me to be a seminary commencement speaker for our [seminary] graduation at the Assembly Hall on Temple Square.
The following September I enrolled at the University of Utah but found it necessary to work on campus and then later for an attorney in downtown Salt Lake to pay for tuition and books. I majored in Elementary Education and minored in English and Physical Education. World War II began in December of 1941, but I was still able to continue at school until graduation in June of 1942.
My first job was working as a stenographer at an Army Installation in Kearns, Utah. Shortly after this I transferred to the Indian Service as a secretary and short wave radio operator and remained there for two years. Then I was hired as a secretary to President Olpin at the University of Utah. After a few months as secretary there I was offered a position at the United States Office of Education at the State Capitol, which I gladly accepted because it was close by and I could walk to work. When this office was moved to Washington D.C., I transferred to the Attorney General’s Office, also at the Utah State Capitol. This is where I was working when I met and married J. Grant Nielson of Springville, Utah [on October 13, 1949].
Prior to this time, in the hope of being accepted as a transport pilot (W.A.S.P.) during World war II, I logged 35 hours of flight time and completed the ground school course at the University of Utah. After passing the cadet test, and while waiting for my assignment to Sweet Water, Texas, the minimum height for pilots was raised two inches and I fell short by those two inches. I cried a little, but soon recovered.
From 1946 to 1949 most of my free time was spent skiing. I was entered into the Snow Cup Races at Alta during the winter 1948-49.
While living in Salt Lake and shortly after college graduation I was called into the MIA Presidency of the 17th Ward as a counselor in the MIA with Nel Condie as President. In the 10th Ward, Springville Stake, I served in the Primary as a Blazer Leader, Inservice Leader and Primary President. In Relief Society I taught Literature, Visiting Teaching, Theology and Mother Education. In this same Tenth Ward I was a Nursery Leader, Education Counselor and Relief Society President.
Grant and I had eight children. Richard, our third son, passed away April 14th, 1967, at the age of 11 years, 11 months. The remaining five sons, Robert, Scott, Douglas, Greg, and Brad, attained the rank of Eagle Scout and all fulfilled honorable missions, graduated from a University and were later married and sealed in an LDS Temple. Our two girls, Jan and Patrice, also graduated from BYU and also had temple sealings. Now they all have children of their own—my grandchildren. As of now, March 2004, we have 37 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
Grant and I traveled to many foreign countries. We were both desirous to visit as many cultures as possible.
Grant passed away on February 25th, 1991. In a one-year period I lost a husband, 3 brothers (Ray, Kay, Kenneth) and a brother-in-law (Wendell Twelves).
The past twelve years I have been privileged to serve in the Provo Temple in the Sealing Office and as an Ordinance Worker. I spent two years in the Living Endowment Department. I have had several spiritual experiences during my time at the Provo Temple, and I have considered it a real pleasure and privilege to have served those years where my love and appreciation for the Savior has increased immensely.
I have lived in Springville in my present home for 43 years.

Addendum
By daughter, Jan Robbins, June 2025
Ruth continued to enjoy traveling, many times with a Senior Citizens group, sometimes with children and grandchildren. When she was 95 she traveled with family to Holland for her granddaughter, Kirsten’s, wedding. She was very active in the Springville Senior Citizens, volunteering and enjoying the social opportunities there, including exercise classes.
She also continued as a hostess once or twice a month at the Springville Art Museum. She continued her association and activity with Daughters of the Utah Pioneers until she was 96.
When she was 91 she bought a new lawn mower to make it easier for her to mow the lawn, which she did for a few more years.
In her mid-nineties her hearing diminished quite a bit, and her vision was getting worse. But, she still remained active.
She continued to serve in the temple, being re-assigned to the Provo City Center Temple after it was dedicated, but she ended her service there shortly before her 96th birthday. She had served as a temple worker for 24 years. She continued to attend as a patron, even after her 100th birthday.
Ruth celebrated her 100th birthday in the midst of the Covid Pandemic quarantine. Neighbors congratulated her on the driveway of her home. Her children had a small celebration in her home.
Six months later she felt unwell and somehow ended up on the floor and was not able to get up, so she was somewhat delirious when she was found over 24 hours later. There were no lasting physical injuries, but every day after that at least one of her children was with her for at least a few hours each day. She remained in her home an additional 17 years after she wrote the above story of her life.
Almost a year after her fall she moved to Covington Assisted Living in Farmington near her daughter, Jan. She was never happy being out of her home, but became somewhat contented with her new life.
In spite of the challenges of being over 100 years old, Ruth had good health until the end when her body just wore out. Three and a half months before her 104th birthday, she passed away peacefully on July 27, 2024.
At the time of her death, her posterity numbered her 8 children, 37 grandchildren and 65 great-grandchildren, the last one born just days before her passing.