Myrna was born on Independence Day 1928 in Coalville, Utah to William Elmen Bagnell and Goldie Judd. She lived in Coalville until her family moved to Bountiful when she was in the 9th grade.
Myrna graduated from Davis High School in 1946 and from the University of Utah in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in Science. Her major focused on Education and Home Economics.
She taught school in Ogden and Draper until the birth of her first child in 1955. She also worked at St. Mark’s Hospital for 10 years after being a fulltime homemaker for 20 years.
Myrna was a faithful active member of the LDS church and served in many positions including Relief Society President. She also served her community at the elementary school in the media center and PTA.
She married her sweetheart, Wayne James Nelsen on June 29, 1951 in the Salt Lake Temple, shortly after he returned from his LDS mission to Norway. From the beginning of their marriage right up to the day Wayne passed away, Myrna was his “help mate,” putting him through college, keeping him organized, and caring for and watching over him the last 8 years of his life as his dementia progressed.
Myrna was a great mother and grandmother and friend. Her love was shown for each as she was continually searching for and putting together special gifts for birthdays and Christmas that were unique and specific for the personality of the individual.
Myrna liked things kept in order. She took care of all the bookwork for the rental units that they owned and kept a clean and orderly home.
Myrna was constantly searching for ways to expand her mind. She enjoyed reading from Wayne’s patriotic books, the encyclopedia, the newspaper, and her scriptures. She was constantly saving clippings and pictures on many subjects which she neatly filed.
She loved shopping and finding bargains, BYU football games, boating with family and friends, golfing with the study group, parties with Norwegian friends, and attending all the many birthdays, holiday parties, and activities that came up.
Myrna loved to sew and was a wonderful seamstress. She continued that hobby even when her sight got bad. Writing poetry was her passion. She wrote poems to fit every occasion you could imagine.
Although we as a family are saddened by her passing, we are comforted by the knowledge of the gospel that she is once again with her sweetheart Wayne and experiencing a great reunion with him and family and friends who have been awaiting her arrival.
Preceded in death by her parents, Elmen and Goldie Bagnell, and her loving husband of 64 years, Wayne. Survived by her brother, Erwin, and two sisters, Thelma and Ila, and children Lori (James), Lisa (Dan), Chad (Suzanne), Scott (Sarah), 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
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