Carol Nelson obituary

"Tough Grandma" Carol Osborn Nelson passed away April 23 in Snake Creek Canyon, Wasatch County Utah, surrounded by her loving family.
Carol was born August 14, 1932, in one one of the hottest months in the state on record- in Eureka Utah to John William Osborn and Dona Van Leuven Osborn.

Her parents moved to South Gate California when she was 3 and she grew up a California girl- she had many adventures including secretly hitchhiking to the ocean at Long Beach. She graduated in 1951. She loved her roots of California but her heart was in Utah so she returned to Payson to live with her Aunt Leah.

Carol was a true 50s girl. Poodle skirts, curly black hair, Jantzen sweaters and all. She was a jitterbug pro and a roller skating queen. She met Dan Nelson at Riverside roller rink in Provo in 1958 and two years later they were married. She spent time in Lawton Oklahoma when Dan was drafted into the war. She made many friends and cherished her time there.

Carol and Dan had three children, Darrell (Tammy), Dana (Jess Graham) and Bart (Christine). They raised their kids in Lehi Utah and were divorced 20 years later. Carol could have easily remarried but chose not to. When people asked about that she sassily stated- "I hate men but I'm not gay." And while she professed this she would never hesitate to flirt with every young waiter in every restaurant we went to.

Carol moved to Springville in 1981- her little trailer home was the epitome of love and pictures and everything she cherished. She moved in with her daughter when she couldn't drive anymore at the age of 81.

Carol was fiercely independent and often worked 3 jobs to keep up with living expenses. She was an amazing single mom. She was known for her wonderful cooking but mostly for her famous cream pies and people came for miles around to get them. She was frugal with her money, but never with her love. She worked in school lunch and would pay out of her pocket when kids needed lunch money. She was the safe place for the youth she mentored in Lehi on the dance committee. She was the cool mom that took her daughter toilet papering and her kids riding on the car in cemetery sprinklers. She was the caring mom that was there for her son whenever he needed her. Carol didn't judge anyone. She was empathetic and caring. We should all strive to be like her.

Carol fell in 2020 and broke her back and her hip. This was shortly after losing her little sister Ranae. We didn't think she would make it but " Tough Grandma" showed us! We were blessed to have 10 more months of memories and laughter before the pain took its final time toll on our sweet mom and grandma.

Carol was preceded in death by her mother and father and both siblings Dale Osborn and Ranae Ogden. Ranae and Carol called each other sister their whole lives- they had an inseparable bond. There were many friends and family there to greet her in heaven. She is survived by her children and many nieces and nephews. Carol was called grandma by 7 grandchildren and GG by 5 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers Carol would love you to help someone in need.

Services will be as follows:
A viewing will be held at Wing Mortuary Thursday evening, April 29, from 6-8pm, 118 East Main, Lehi, Utah 84043

Graveside service will be held at Payson City Cemetery Friday morning, April 30th at 11:00am.

400 N 800 E St
Payson, UT 84651

Side note
Per Carol's request:
To ensure a great turnout the famous banana cream pie recipe will finally be released on the back of the funeral program.