At the age of 21 Kristena served a full time mission for the LDS Church, assigned to the Chicago, Illinois mission, where she learned the joy of serving her fellow man learning to depend on her Heavenly Father on a daily basis. She developed many life long friendships with her fellow missionary companions and many of the families they served.
Kristena worked very hard on her education obtaining a Masters Degree in English from Cal Poly Pomona. She became an English Professor teaching online classes for Independence University, helping adult students further their own education allowing them to better their lives.
Kristena is survived by her husband Daniel Jacob Houghtalling, her daughter Kailey Breanne Houghtaling, her Mother Cherri Lynne (Stowell) Nelson, and her Father David Ellwood Nelson, all of Ontario CA. Kristena is also survived by her brothers Jeremie Michael Nelson of Tucson, Arizona, Michael David Nelson, and David Matthew Nelson Both of Ontario, Ca. Her maternal Grandparents Robert Earl Stowell and Charlene S. (Harward) Stowell of Pleasant Grove Utah, as well as her extended family of Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.
Kristena and her husband Daniel were married on October 9th 2009 at Etiwanda Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga, Ca. They were then sealed in the LDS Temple in Los Angeles, Ca. on October 9th 2010, exacly, one year later for time and all eternity. Kristena and Daniel welcomed their daughter Kailey on March 4th 2011.
Kristena was predeceased by her paternal grandparents Kranlin Eber Nelson and Pauline Ruth Nelson, her aunt Debra Kaye(stowell Brown and two of her cousins Angela Marie Brown and Matthew Aaron Stowell, also her great uncle Raymond Eugene Asbell.
Memorial Services for Kristena Will be held Tuesday Dec 10th 2019 at 1:00pm Oakdale Mortuary and Memorial Park, 1401 S. Grand Ave, Glendora CA 91740 (sunset Chapel).
