Nedra Mortensen Warner

Our dear classy, selfless mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend had her final “curtain call” on December 9, 2016 after many dress rehearsals. She spent her last precious moments surrounded by her biggest fans, her family.

Our mom was born July 24th, 1928 in Ogden, Utah the youngest of three daughters for Erma Oles Marler Nokleby and Alton Bertrand Mortensen. She was raised by a wonderful courageous mother who was widowed three times and her two older sisters, Marba and Josie. Her patriarchal blessing said she would be protected from seen and unseen enemies and she truly was throughout her life.

Mom attended Lowell and Oquirrh Elementary, Bryant Junior High, Stuart Training and East High School where she met her sweetheart, David Gill Warner. They were sealed together in the Salt Lake Temple on August 9, 1950. She graduated from the University of Utah in Elementary Education while enjoying Chi Omega and Lambda Delta sororities. She was blessed to teach fourth grade where she met lifelong friends in her students. For more than 60 plus years she has met yearly with her Crescent Girls from those teaching days, outliving several of them.

Mom touched many lives throughout her callings in the community and in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Then as a leader in Lambda Delta Sigma, for more than 25 years, she inspired many college-aged women to live a Christ-like life. In 1980, one of her greatest joys was to help chair the Sesquicentennial of the founding of the Church, organizing the participation of a thousand young women in the celebration. Later, our mom also chaired two Deseret News Cavalcades. The first was a dance at the University of Utah stadium on July 4, 1985; second was a Naturalization Ceremony the following year.

After raising their seven cherished children, our parents began to serve LDS missions together. Temple Square started them off by serving with sister missionaries from all over the world. Mom and Dad served as mission presidents over the Family History Mission in Salt Lake City. They also hosted at the Joseph Smith Building and the Conference Center. Later our parents coordinated the Salt Lake Temple View Room as well as leading many Empty Nester evenings in their sweet Parley’s 1st Ward.

Although Mom graced countless lives with her pure guileless optimism, she would attribute her greatest joy to her role as wife, mother and grandmother. Mom and Dad enjoyed more than 68 years of courtship. Their love was tangible as we witnessed a love-affair-of-a-lifetime. The two were seamlessly in love and always hand in hand. Even though Mom kept busy with her art and book clubs, Sigma Chi and East High study groups, Dad continued to be the pulse to her heartbeat. When he graduated to heaven before her it left a huge hole in mom’s heart. Fortunately, she kept busy by being up for any outing and could outlast anyone in daily chores or on an adventure. We will sincerely miss her soft warm embrace and unfailing acceptance until we meet again.

Mom’s legacy of putting the Gospel first and never speaking ill of another person is forever cemented in our hearts. We thank Heavenly Father for blessing us with one of His most precious souls. Mom, we will leave the lights on and hold hands in all our future family prayers. We love you and Dad to the moon and back with a bushel and peck a hug around the neck.

Our mom was proceeded in death by both parents, sisters Marba (Jonathon) Snow, Josie (Virg) Ostler, her husband and our beloved Dad, David Gill Warner, baby daughter Heidi, son David Gill Warner, granddaughter Heidi Kaye Warner, and many other loved ones. She is survived by her children Wendy (Bob) Whitman, Pam Warner/Childs (Todd), Nancy (Glen) Alleman, Gill (Val) Warner, Ned (AnJanette) Warner and Peggy (Steve) Ayers, 17 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

We would like to offer many special thanks to the Knells and the Ballards for their lifetime friendship. Thanks to many caregivers, especially Asena Ita Aehau, Mele Kuli, Dana Travis and Stephen Scoville. We treasure the countless acts of kindness given by many friends and family. She loved you all dearly.

A viewing will take place Friday, December 17, 2016 at Wasatch Lawn 3401 Highland Dr. from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 16, 2016 with a viewing prior to services from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. also at Parley’s First Ward, 2350 S. 2100 E.

For online condolences please go to www.wasatchlawn.com