Owen Levi Nelson, 90, passed away peacefully at his home in Trail Canyon on Friday, September 3, 2010.


Owen was born June 18, 1920, at Rockland, Idaho, the seventh child of Lars Christopher Nelson and Emily Waite Nelson. He graduated from Rockland High School and started college at Albion State Normal School in Albion, Idaho.


World War II interrupted Owen's education and he stepped up to the call of duty when he joined the Marine Corps right after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served with the 2nd Marine division and saw action in the Marianas, the Gilberts, and the Tarawa Atoll.


Owen returned to college at Albion after the war and received his diploma from the Southern Idaho College of Education in August of 1948. He moved to Soda Springs where he taught English and literature until joining Monsanto in 1952. He worked the personnel and the stores departments until his retirement in 1982.


Owen had a great love of literature, poetry and the performing arts. As a teacher he directed the school plays and, while working at Monsanto, he utilized the talent in Soda Springs to produce such musicals as The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Guys and Dolls, South Pacific, and Hello Dolly. He enjoyed reading and was a great fan of Idaho author Vardis Fisher. For many years, he was also part owner of both the theatres in Soda Springs.


Owen also served many years as scoutmaster for the troop sponsored by Caribou Lodge #84 (of which Owen was a member), taking the scouts on several hikes and overnight camping trips. He also took scouts to National Jamborees in Colorado Springs and Valley Forge.


Owen was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Lars Fenton, Orval "Fritz", and Orlin Paul, and three sisters, Ada Marie, Ora, and Dorothe Ione. He is survived by nieces Barbara Heintz, Katherine Lewis, and Margueritte Morris, nephews Gene Nelson and Bill Sikes, numerous great nieces and nephews, and a great number of friends.


The funeral service were held Tuesday, September 7, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at the Soda Springs Presbyterian Church. Masonic Rites and Military Honors were held at Owen's home, 3377 South Trail Canyon Road, after the service. Graveside services were held on Saturday, September 11, in the Rockland Cemetery at 11:00 a.m.