Charlene was born October 5th 1940 in Salt Lake City, UT to Gordon Atkinson Knudsen and Beth Garrett Knudsen. She was the 1st of 5 Children. She attended schools in the Salt Lake Valley Graduating from Granite High School in 1958. It was her first day of high school she met her Eternal Companion, Doyle Nelson. They have been inseparable ever since. They married shortly after graduating from High School. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple. They recently celebrated their 64th Wedding Anniversary.
Charlene was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving faithfully in many leadership positions. She was primary president in the 1970’s in Sandy Utah, presiding over the largest primary at the time, with almost 200 children enrolled. She also served as young Women and Relief Society Presidents. She also taught many Youth and Adult Classes over the years. She was an Ordinance worker in both the Jordan River Temple and Washington DC Temple. Her and her husband, Doyle served two missions together; 2006 – 2007 at the Mormon Battalion Historic Site in San Diego California, and in 2008 as Ordinance workers at the Washington DC Temple. After they returned from their mission in Washington DC, she served in one of her favorite callings; Team Teaching the Gospel Doctrine Class with Doyle for over 8 years. Early in Their marriage, they worked together at KPOR Radio Station in Quincy Washington, Owned by Doyle’s Brother, Donald. She later worked for a few years as the School Lunch secretary at Bell View Elementary School in Sandy Utah while her children were attending there. She was also one of the Owners of the Chantel Theatre in Sandy. One of the Fun adventures they did together was to raise Ostrich behind their home in South Jordan. Charlene was always an outgoing loving person who made friends easily. She was loved by many and would give hugs to anyone she felt needed one, even if she just met them.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her Brother Kris Knudsen, and Grandson, Cody Hansen. Charlene is Survived by her Husband, Doyle Nelson, Children Spence Nelson ( Brenda) West Jordan; Curtis Nelson ( Lisa) West Jordan; Dorene Ekstein ( Dave) Sandy; Cheryln Moore ( Lynn) St. George; Sharla Hansen ( Shaun) Bluffdale; 20 Grandchildren and 45 Great Grandchildren and Counting.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, September 21st at 12:00 at the West Jordan Utah Bingham Creek Stake Center; 8539 South 2200 West. A viewing will be held from 11:00 – 11:45 prior to the service and on Tuesday September 20th from 6:00 – 8:00 at the same location. Interment; Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park; 3401 South Highland Drive, Millcreek, UT.
The family would like to thank the Active Hospice personnel for their care over the past two weeks, and for Wasatch Lawn for their Kindness.
