Nellie Arlene Stephensen McPherson

Nellie Arlene Stephensen McPherson passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on March 30, 2024, from natural causes.  She was born in Levan, Utah to Arlin C and Nellie Sorensen Stephensen on March 20, 1938, the first of seven children.  She grew up and attended school in Levan and graduated from Juab High School.  She married her sweetheart Seth LeRoy McPherson Jr. on March 23, 1956, three days after her birthday because her Mom wouldn’t let her get married before she turned 18.  They were later sealed in the Manti temple.   Together, with Seth, they owned and operated the family farm in Mills America and made their first home there in a two-room house without indoor plumbing.  Because they were married a few months before she graduated from high school, Mom rode the school bus to Nephi and the little kids would say “Hi, Mrs. McPherson”.   They later purchased their family home in Nephi and lived there the remainder of their lives.  Mom and Dad met at the old Ray’s Café, where she was a waitress.  They had been married for 61 years when Dad passed away in 2017.  The couple was inseparable.  They loved being together, going to all the kid’s and grandkid’s events, birthdays, sporting events, etc.  Together they left a legacy of love and devotion to their family.
Mom spent her entire life serving others and raising her children.  She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, where she served in many different callings throughout her life.  Mom instilled and passed on the traditions of hard work to her children and grandchildren.   She could be found in the kitchen, the garden, sewing, helping at the farm or babysitting the grandkids.  No matter how hard the work was, Mom was always there with her pleasant personality to help in any way she could. She referred to everyone as “my honey” and it’s a phrase that we all use affectionately. Another important quality that we inherited from Mom is the ability to cry, no matter the occasion.  Everything, good or bad, made Mom cry.  
Mom was a great cook and you never left her house hungry.   Nobody can replicate her potato salad, except maybe her sisters.  She shared her love for cooking with the students and staff of the Juab School District serving as a lunch lady in the cafeteria for 30 years.  She made many special lifelong friends with her fellow lunch ladies.  She loved them and loved working with them all.  She loved making good food and loved the kids she spent her time cooking for and serving.  
Mom had a very special and close-knit relationship with her siblings.  Mom and her sisters have a relationship, bond, and unconditional love that is like no other.  If you have ever spent any time with these ladies when they are all together, you were well entertained.  They made it a point to always have big family get-togethers and cultivate the relationships of their own families.  As Mom’s health declined, “the sisters” made weekly visits, talking and laughing with her and just being together.  
Mom’s greatest accomplishment is her family. She has been described by many as “the nicest person you will ever meet” and that is true.  She always had time to listen.  She never made you feel like a burden.  She was never too busy.  She had a way of holding your hands, looking you in the eye and making you feel loved.  She set a wonderful example of what a wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister and daughter should be.  She loved her children and grandchildren with all her heart.  She took exceptional care of her parents and her mother-in-law as they aged.  She loved and was devoted to Seth and absolutely doted on him.  She has missed him terribly the last 7 years and we are sure their reunion was a sweet one.
Mom’s health declined right after Christmas, she spent some time in the hospital and then eventually was placed on Hospice at home where she wanted to be.  Our family spent the last few months of her life caring for her at home 24/7.  What a special opportunity it was for us to have this precious and personal time with our mother. She is greatly loved. Our family is grateful for those who helped us care for her at the hospital and at home.  
Arlene is survived by her five children:  Koye Andersen, Roy (Barbara) McPherson, David (Brenda) McPherson, Ann (Mike) Jones and Michael (Shannon) McPherson. 22 grandchildren and 69 great grandchildren. Sisters: Shirley (John) Bench, Larue (Leon) Pexton, Donna (Gaylen) Jarrett, Nan (Dan) Taylor, Brother Jimmy (Nellie) Stephensen and sister-in-law Lucinda (Rick) Kay. Arlene was preceded in death by her husband Seth LeRoy McPherson, parents Arlin and Nellie Stephensen, son-in-law Kelly Andersen, brother Lynn Stephensen, great granddaughters Makayla McPherson and Reggie Bell.  
There will be a viewing on Thursday, April 11th from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Nephi North Stake Center, 1125 North 400 East, Nephi, Utah. Services will be held on April 12th at 11:00 am at the church with a viewing prior from 9:30-10:45 am.