Gilbert Hyrum Nelson, age 100, passed away peacefully on June 13, 2018 in Boise, Idaho with loving family by his side.

Gilbert was born March 18th, 1918 to Hyrum Rasmus and Loretta Bevins Nelson at home in Cleveland, Idaho. He was the 3rd of 6 children. He served an LDS mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in the Eastern States the same mission his father served.

Gilbert was part of the 'Greatest Generation' serving in WWII for the Army Air Corps as a radio operator, he was discharged as a Corporal.

Gilbert was an avid Fisherman and Golfer having fished many of the rivers and streams in all areas of Idaho and he continued to win Golf tournaments well into his 90's.

Gilbert also had a love for collecting Rocks and he enjoyed sharing his collections with many people in the arts of Jewelry and knife making and was known to polish them up and make them beautiful again.

A favorite gathering place for his family was their cabin at the Blackfoot Reservoir nicknamed The Shadyrest at The Dike, this was where he loved to attend to his flowers and yard and would play a game of cards with anyone who was willing.

November 12th, 1944 Gilbert married his beautiful Italian bride Eleanor Mary Balsi from Reno, Nevada. They met during his service in WWII. They were married for 71 years just prior to her passing in 2015. They made their homes in Cleveland, Soda Springs, and Grace, Idaho. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan, Utah LDS temple.

Born to them were two children, daughter Jeannette Elaine Nelson (Johnson) and son David Hyrum Nelson.

Gilbert was preceded in death by his wife Eleanor and both of their children, his siblings Sister Venna (Calvin) Hymas, Brothers Douglas (Margaret) and Marvin. Brother in-law Merlin Wilde. Son in law, Lee Johnson. Eleanor's parents Louis William and Angelina (Denevi) Balsi.

He is survived by his 3 Grandchildren; Jodie Rindlisbacher (Blake), Nicole Farnes (Darren), and Justin Johnson (Lori Thomas) 10 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandsons and 1 great-great granddaughter on the way, 1 sister Naomi (Nelson) Wilde and 1 brother Edwin and Theone (VanDenakker) Nelson both of Pocatello, Idaho.

A viewing will be held on Monday June 18, 2018 from 10-11:30 AM in Grace, Idaho at 404 South Main Street, with funeral services to follow at 12 PM. Interment will be in the Cleveland, Idaho Cemetery with Military Honors. Services will be under the direction of Grace 1st ward Bishop Travis Gilbert and Sims Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Grace District Library, P.O. Box B, Grace, Idaho 83241.


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