Vera Later

March Vera Mae Nelson Later, age 87, passed away March 4, 2014, in American Fork, Utah, surrounded by loved ones. Born Sept. 22, 1926, in Logan (College Ward) Utah to Joseph Wesley and Martha Stender Nelson, she was raised on a dairy farm with six siblings where she learned the value of hard work.

She graduated from South Cache High School and Utah State University in home economics, and on Sept. 3, 1947, married Wendell Cordon Later in the Idaho Falls Temple. Wendell passed away in 2005.

She was a devoted member of the LDS Church, served in many church callings and had deep faith in Jesus Christ. She taught her family these same values.

Vera's greatest joys were her children and grandchildren, and she loved and sacrificed continually for them. She valued and stressed education and was proud of her family's academic achievements.

Vera was an avid sports fan and loved to watch her kids and grandkids in any sports or other activities. She was a talented seamstress, loved to garden, and was very frugal.

Vera obtained a second degree in elementary education and taught school for 30 years. She liked to buy rental properties and managed many of them. Vera and Wendell spent much of their lives on Indian reservations in Oregon, Washington, South Dakota, Arizona and Nevada where he worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

They lived in Mountain Home, Idaho, for 30 years and moved to Highland, Utah, in 2000.

Vera is survived by three sons and three daughters: Robert (Connie), Richard (Carol), Karen (Mark) Stephens, David (Collette), Sandra (Galen) Mooso, Janice (Monty) Wells; 32 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren and a brother, Edwin Nelson.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 8, 2014, at 11 a.m. in the Hillcrest 2nd Ward, 150 West 1120 North, American Fork. Friends may call Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Anderson & Sons Mortuary, 49 East 100 North, American Fork and Saturday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the service. Burial in American Fork Cemetery.

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