Biography: Glenda Pearl Nielsen Worthen

October 29, 1919 - May 19, 2009

Ferron: Glenda Pearl Nielsen Worthen, 89, passed away Tuesday, May 19, 2009, in Ferron, Utah. Glenda was the 10th of 11 children born to Niels E. and Annie Elizabeth Christensen Nielsen, in Moroni, Utah, on October 29, 1919.

Glenda was raised on the family farm in Moroni, where she learned the value of hard work at a young age as she helped support her family in numerous jobs and responsibilities. She attended and graduated from school in Moroni. After high school she attended Snow College in Ephraim for one year.

Glenda served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Western States Mission. Following her mission she married Clive Herbert Worthen on December 3, 1943, in the Manti LDS Temple. He passed away September 18, 1995. She spent most of her married life in Ferron where she was blessed with five children.

Glenda was a faithful member of the LDS Church where she served in numerous callings. She also had the privilege of serving with her husband on a mission in Louisiana.

Glenda loved gardening and being in the outdoors working in her yard. She was known for her flower gardens and her Christmas lights during the holiday seasons. Glenda loved to read to little children and volunteered at the Castle Dale Elementary and Ferron Elementary schools for several years. Glenda was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, where she served as a teacher. She also enjoyed embroidering. Yet most of all, she enjoyed being with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Glenda was a loving, caring, honest, hardworking individual, who will be remembered as always putting others' needs and concerns before her own and always putting family first.

Glenda is survived by her children: Kathlyne (Jerald) Tolman of Nauvoo, IL, Tanie Worthen of Ferron, Paul (Christine) Worthen of Page, AZ, Ralph (Loretta) Worthen of Ferron, and Elizabeth (Carl) Fillmore of Lawrence; and by 28 grandchildren and 74 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; granddaughter, Coby Tolman; grandson, Damon Tolman; son-in-law, Lynn Robinson; and ten brothers and sisters: Edith, Helen, Remelda, Rozina, Aurthur, Verla, Elaine, Floris, Clinton, and one infant brother.

Funeral services will be Saturday, May 23, 2009, at 3:00 p.m. at the Ferron LDS Stake Center, 555 South 400 West. Viewing will be Friday, May 22, 2009, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Ferron LDS Stake Center and on Saturday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Stake Center prior to the services. Interment will be in the Ferron City Cemetery. Services are in the care of Fausett Mortuary.

Grandma Glenda Pearl Nielsen Worthen

Glenda Pearl Nielsen Worthen, Grandma, passed away last night, May 19, about 10:00 pm. She passed away at the Emery County Nursing Home in Ferron, Utah. She was surrounded by family at the time.

On Friday, May 15, Grandma suffered from a powerful stroke. She’s suffered through many strokes in the last few years. She almost passed away in February of 2008—but she miraculously recovered and even attended my wedding in Manti.

Grandma is going to be seriously missed. But, we’re all so happy for her. It’s so nice to know that she’s back with the love of her life, Grandpa Clive Worthen, after almost 14 years. It’s so nice to know that she’s not in pain any more. And, it’s so nice to know that she lived the kind of life we could all hope to live.

She’s left behind a great family, and, I’m certain, many flowers.

Her funeral will be in Ferron on Saturday, May 23.

Pregnancy Does Strange Things

Generally speaking, I haven't felt too out of sorts with this pregnancy. But, I have left my wallet and phone once at a movie theater and once at a restaurant. And remember when I broke the microwave plate? I was immediately called out for being pregnant (though I had only revealed it to Mark and my best friend at that time).

Anyway, in one of my multiple pregnancy emails I get each day came this jewel. I thought I would share it with you.

Play Dead

There's a lot of unhappiness and crap in the world right now. But, there are a lot of small, simple, and wonderful things too. Good things include (in no particular order): babies, families, flowers, brownies, friends, sunsets, holidays, etc.

I was forwarded this little gem, and I would include this dog on my "good things" list. I hope it brings a smile to your face.

Dear Little Boy

Dear Little Boy,

We’re so excited that you are coming to our home! We can’t wait to meet you.

Right now, you’re about one pound and about 10 inches long. Something like that. You’re just tiny. But, when we watched the ultrasound, we can tell a bit about you already….

You’re silly. I’m pretty sure you’re our child—because you’re pretty silly. The ultrasound technician kept mentioning that you were upside down, just chillin’. Your head was pointed downward and you were kind of reclining, with your little legs crossed at the ankles.

You’re active. I can tell you would like to be stretching out a bit more than in the womb, but you also looked quite comfortable. I’m glad you haven’t started pummeling me yet, but I expect that’s coming soon. You were moving your hands and arms around quite a bit.

You’re healthy. According to all the measurements, you’re absolutely normal and great. We’re very happy about that. I’ve actually been worried a little because I don’t know how big I should be right now and I don’t know how often I should be feeling you move. So, it was good news.

You’re cute. You have the cutest little feet. And you have the cutest little hands. And you have the cutest little bum and belly. (I can say stuff like that, I'm your mom.)

You’re loved. Your dad and I were so happy; we just watched in amazement and held hands. Your dad squeezed my hand a time or two when we saw you doing something cute. Your dad loves you very much, as do I.

We’re planning on painting your room green, not blue. Green like a jungle. We expect you to be silly, like a monkey—so we’re going to give you a monkey’s room. We figure you’ll like green more than the purple it is right now.

By the way, when you get older and you realize you had a mullet when you were little—that’s because your dad said you could only have a mohawk if I let you have a mullet. Fair trade I thought.

Yup, we’re looking forward to meeting you. So are all your grandparents, aunts, uncles, family, and other friends. And I’m sure your boy Harper cousin who’ll be coming around the same time you do is excited too.

Love, Your Mom

P.S. Don’t be mad that both your dad and I guessed that you were going to be a girl—we had NO IDEA. We just made a guess and ended up guessing wrong. But, the good news is—all the people close to us guessed you were a boy. Grandma Worthen even said she saw you in a dream the other night.

P.P.S

Dad loves you too.

A Thought from Elder Scott

I get a "Daily Gem" about Gospel topics. I felt like sharing this one today. A lot of it is expected and standard language. But, read it close--there are a couple things that should be highlighted more often. At least, in my opinion.

"Consider how consistently you use your priesthood to bless others. . . ."If you are divorced, do you provide for the real financial need of the children you have fathered, not just the minimum legal requirement?"If you are married, are you faithful to your wife mentally as well as physically? Are you loyal to your marriage covenants by never engaging in conversation with another woman that you wouldn't want your wife to overhear? Are you kind and supportive of your own wife and children? Do you assist your wife by doing some of the household chores? Do you lead out in family activities such as scripture study, family prayer, and family home evening, or does your wife fill in the gap your lack of attention leaves in the home? Do you tell her you love her?"

Richard G. Scott, "Honor the Priesthood and Use It Well," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 45

Half Baked

Well, here we are...at 20 weeks. Half baked. I swear I look pregnant--and I'm wearing maternity pants, but I look ridiculous when I try on maternity shirts. So, I'm still just wearing plain old t-shirts. I'm bored of my plain old t-shirts, let me tell you...... Oh well. And, I'm not posting pictures because I mostly just look like I had a really huge Thanksgiving dinner, not like something else is going on.

We find out if Baby is a boy or a girl on Friday, May 8, after work. So, if you haven't voted yet, time is running out.

Some Funnies from San Antonio

I saw this market as we were driving down the freeway one day. It cracked me up and I had to get a picture of it. There were some other stores with interesting names, but I failed to document them.


Karen didn't tell her kids that we were coming until she was blowing up the air mattress for us on Tuesday night.

Hailie: "Who are you blowing that up for?"

Wendi: "Are Grandma and Grandpa coming?"

Karen: "Nope."

Hailie: "Is it for us to jump on?"

Karen: "Nope."

Then the girls proceed to ask about their aunts and uncles.

Karen: "Nope, but it is for someone who stayed with us before."

Wendi: "Ooh! Ooh! Is it your friend?"

Karen: "Yes. What's her name?"

Hailie: "Is she bringing Mark!?!?"


D'oh! Of course they like Mark more than me--it's not like I gave Wendi her very first bath ever! *sniff* heheheh.........


Because it was "Fiesta" in San Antonio, the girls learned about cascarones and made some to bring home. Hailie busted one of hers on her dad. She busted her second cascarones on Mark. Wendi busted both of hers on Mark. I think they liked him. And, Mark should have really good luck now.


We get pretty good mileage out of our goofy teeth. The morning we put them in--Wendi, Hailie, and Ben all were really confused and kind of grossed out. I don't know why.


Mark and I wore matching shirts one day--shirts advertising SmugMug. Not a single person mentioned anything about it.