Virginia Nielsen Braley

Virginia Nielsen Braley, passed from this life on Saturday, June 20, 2015, in Spanish Fork, Utah at the age of 76. She was at home with her husband and her oldest son when she passed away. Mom was born on August 7, 1938, in San Francisco, California to James “Jim” Wilson Nielsen and Margaret Nancy Thomas Nielsen. She grew up in Midvale, Utah, and graduated from Jordan High School. She then moved to Seattle, Washington, where she took a job with Boeing. After 5 years, she moved to La Mesa, CA where her parents were currently living. It was there that she met and fell in love with her husband Earlan and were married on May 3, 1963, in the Los Angeles Temple. While living in the San Diego area, they had two daughters, Jolynn and Janell. In 1966, while working for CalTrans, Dad received a transfer to the San Francisco Bay Area. After living in Hayward for two years, they purchased a home in Union City where their first two sons, Jerrod and Kalen, were born in the next couple of years. Then at the young age of 40, Mom had twin sons, Kurtis and Kordel. The Braleys made Union City their home for the next 33 years. In 2001, Mom and Dad moved to Liberty Lake, Washington, and eventually to Spanish Fork, Utah in 2006. After spending years as a dedicated home maker, when the youngest boys got older, she began working for the school district for several years at James Logan High School where all of her kids would eventually attend. Mom was a lifelong faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served faithfully in several church positions. Some of her favorite callings included girl’s camp advisor, early morning seminary teacher, and working with the youth in general. Mom and Dad also served a church service mission for the California Oakland Mission from 1999 to 2001. As an active LDS member, Virginia loved planning parties and activities with several other ward members. She was often the life of the party and her social get-togethers were never to be missed. Her love of life and sharing everything was always on full display with both family and friends. Mom and Dad also took the kids on numerous road trips to visit extended family from Utah to New England. Mom was extremely patriotic and loved music. Other hobbies included playing the piano, quilting, swimming, scrapbooking, family history, and planning family gatherings. As grandchildren came along, Mom loved to spend time with them. She absolutely adored all of her children and grandchildren and spent most of her time planning actives and thinking about them. Once in Utah, Mom planned monthly activities at her home and helped keep the family together. She loved using e-mail, text, and Facebook to keep in touch with everyone. Mom is survived by her husband of 52 years, Earlan Carroll Braley; her six children: Jolynn (Jay Clegg), Janell (Troy Adamson), Jerrod, Kalen (Paula), Kurtis (Jenni), and Kordel (Heather); 18 grandchildren: Emily (Brandon Jones), Bryce Johnson, Marissa Clegg, Mathew Adamson, Holly Clegg, Julianna Braley, Seth Adamson, Hayden Clegg, Tessa Braley, McKay Clegg, Corinne Braley, Ashton Braley, Shane Braley, Capri Braley, Elise Braley, Lyric Braley, Paige Braley, and Lawson Braley; two great-grandchildren Britain Jones and Charlotte Jones; her two brothers: Thomas Nielsen (Cathy) and Douglas Nielsen (Jennette). She is preceded in death by her parents (Jim and Margaret Nielsen), and her two sisters: Nancy Ann Jessee and Barbara Howe. Viewing and Funeral Services will be held at the LDS chapel at 1470 East 130 North, Spanish Fork, Utah. The viewing will be held Wednesday, June 24, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, June 25, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will occur Thursday morning before the funeral at Spanish Fork Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the LDS Temple Patron Assistance Fund (http://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/temple/funds/temple-patrons-fund.html). We wish to thank our brother Jerrod, and our sister Jolynn, and her family, for their dedicated service to mom at the end.

Virginia Nielsen Braley

August 7, 1938 - June 20, 2015