Darlene Nelson Hartman March 3, 1925 ~ July 16, 2018 Darlene Nelson Hartman passed away peacefully Wednesday July 16th, 2018. She was born on March 3, 1925 in Mink Creek, Idaho to Lars Willard and Iva Bell Nelson. She attended elementary school in a two room schoolhouse where each teacher had three grades in one room and 10 to 12 students in each class.
Most of the teachers were single and at least two of the single ones were boarders in the Nelson home because there were no apartments or rental units in the town and also because her Mother was the best cook in town. The school building is now a chicken coop. One of the men in town built a bus for the students to get to and from school.
It was pulled by horses with runners in the winter and wheels in the summer because the road was not kept open all year round. Students were required to move to Preston to attend high school and most of them would work for room and board if they attended high school because it was the only high school in the county. In 1938 the Nelson family moved to Ogden, Utah, and Darlene attended Mound Fort Jr. High School, graduated from Ogden High School and attended Weber State College.
She was always active in music and music always played a large part in her life. Darlene married Ramon G. Hartman on July 3, 1947, and they made their home in Ogden, Utah where they raised three children, all of whom also graduated from Ogden High School. Darlene was a lifetime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and stayed active all her life.
She was music director for 15 years in her ward in Ogden. She also taught Primary and Sunday school. She always enjoyed all of these calling plus working in the PTA for Madison Elementary, Central Jr. and Ogden High school.
In 1978 Darlene and Ray moved from Ogden to a condo in Layton where Mom loved the views of the mountains from her sun room. She and dad had separate shops in the basement where they spent many hours letting their creative juices flow. Mom became an amazing stained-glass artist and created many beautiful treasures for her home and her family.
She was also an accomplished needle point artist. These creations will be enjoyed for generations to come. She learned how to swim in her 60s and could be seen at The Club swimming laps many early mornings.
She also purchased an Organ that she loved and spent many hours with her organ group learning all aspects of her prized organ. She loved traveling with her group and entertaining her family. Ray preceded her in death on November 15th, 2002.
Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on April 6, 2004. One of mom’s greatest challenges and accomplishments in life was, as many women of the greatest generation, to take care of my dad when he returned home from World War II a changed person because of the war he had endured. She handled this with love and total dedication to Dad.
In 2007 she welcomed her sweet little dog “Mimi” into her home. She loved Mimi and they spent many hours enjoying each others company. She always said it was wonderful to have her greet her at the door whenever she came home with such love and enthusiasm.
Darlene belonged to a bridge club of friends in Ogden all of her married life and considered these ladies a huge part of her life. She held them close to her heart until her death. She was a member and past president of Altruist Club.
She belonged to two bridge clubs in Layton as well as the Davis Master Chorale. Darlene was a valued employee and received many commendations for the work she did throughout her life. After her working years Darlene traveled to many countries and enjoyed them all.
She created wonderful journals of these trips for future generations to enjoy. She instilled this desire to travel in her children so they would also explore the world and enjoy its many adventures. She always enjoyed time spent in the temple and thought life was a wonderful gift and should always be done with a smile.
Darlene moved to Quail Meadows Assistant Living in May of 2017 and resided there in her beautiful room until her death. She made many friends here and continued to give others joy and love. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and two sisters.
She is survived by two sons and one daughter: Albert R. (Jane), Ogden, UT. , Scott N. (Pat), Juneau, AK and Terry Hartman-Smith (Terry) of North Ogden, Ten grandchildren who loved their amazing grandma as well as being “Grandma Great” to 24 other great grandchildren and her “Mimi” who will be loved and cared for by her daughter for the rest of her life. Darlene was an amazing example of how one should live their life.
If you were to choose a person to model your life after, she would be it. The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Quail Meadow as well as the loving staff of Hospice of Utah who provided loving and gentle care to her until her death, especially Tammy whom she considered one of her dear friends. Per Darlene’s wishes, there will be no public viewing or funeral, but instead the family will meet with friends and family Thursday, July 19th at Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd from 11:30 until 12:30 pm with graveside services to follow at 1:00 pm in the Ogden City Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.
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