Merlene Nelson Smith

Merlene Nelson Smith passed away peacefully in her home on October 1st at the age of 88. The daughter of Dee Nelson and Bertha (Pat) Anderson, Merlene was preceded in death by her son, Blaine Smith; three brothers, Rod Nelson, Neil Anderson, and Keith Anderson; and one sister, Sharon Nelson Green. She is survived by her husband, Derald Smith; son, Kurt (Vickie) Smith; granddaughter, Adrien (Michael) Fairchild; grandson, Tyson (Adrienne) Smith; one brother, David (Donna) Nelson; two sisters, Alona (Dave Smith) Ercanbrack and Kimberly Smart; and four great-granddaughters, Madison and Olivia Fairchild and Ella and Scarlett Smith.

Merlene was born on February 17, 1938, in Preston, Idaho, and grew up nearby in Weston. She met her husband and lifelong partner, Derald, at Preston High School in 1951. Derald moved to the Salt Lake Valley in 1955 for work, and the next year they were married in the Logan Utah Temple on November 9, 1956. Their sons, Kurt and Blaine, soon followed – Kurt in 1957 and Blaine in 1958. Merlene and Derald made their home in Midvale, where they lived for almost 60 years and raised their family. In 1979, they built a cabin in the Primitive Pines community of Lambs Canyon, a place that became deeply woven into the life of their family. They added another cherished gathering place in 1991 when they built a townhouse in St. George. In 2018, they left their longtime Midvale home and moved to South Jordan into a home next door to Kurt and Vickie. That closeness to family was a blessing in Merlene’s final years. At the time of her passing, she and Derald were just over a month away from celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary.

More than anything, Merlene loved being with her family and creating traditions that brought everyone together. She was a devoted homemaker, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who was happiest when the people she loved were gathered around her. She hosted Easter celebrations and egg hunts for her grandchildren, Christmas Eve dinners for the family, and summer gatherings at the cabin in Lambs Canyon. When her children and grandchildren were young, she would look forward to the deer and elk hunts, not because she wanted to hunt, but because she loved tending camp and being part of the adventure. While “the boys” were away hunting, her and Adrien would spend hours in the motorhome playing games, coloring, listening to music, cooking, and taking four-wheeler rides. Each hunting season, Adrien and Tyson could count on getting an early start on Christmas by sitting with her and circling toys and clothes in the Sears catalog. Her grandchildren also looked forward to an annual back-to-school shopping tradition. Tyson and Adrien each had their own day with Grandma, and any store or fashion choice was on the table, usually followed by lunch at Chuck-A-Rama and a sleepover. She later carried the tradition forward with Madison and Olivia, taking them Christmas shopping and happily following them into any store they wanted to explore.

Merlene had a deep love of nature and of the special places she and Derald made their own. At the cabin in Lambs Canyon, she fed the squirrels, blue jays, and raccoons. She could recognize individual animals, would chat with them, and give many of them silly nicknames. Some became tame enough to sit on her lap or take peanuts directly from her hand. She and Derald walked the trails and roads of Lambs Canyon countless times and seemed to know every corner of the canyon. Their townhouse in St. George became another beloved home away from home, where they spent years walking among the red rocks, exploring Snow Canyon and the Virgin River Gorge, and building friendships in St. George and Mesquite. Their time there included New Year’s Eve parties, dinners at favorite restaurants like Catherine’s, and a social life they deeply enjoyed.

While she loved the outdoors, Merlene was remarkably stylish and loved the finer things in life. She had an unmistakable eye for beauty and design. Her clothes were fashionable and perfectly accessorized, her hair and makeup were always done, and her homes were decorated with warmth, personality, and attention to detail. Shopping was one of her favorite pleasures, but for Merlene it was rarely just about what she bought. It was another way to spend time with the people she loved or to buy something for a special occasion with loved ones. Whether she was wandering through stores with a grandchild, planning a holiday gathering, feeding a squirrel at the cabin, or dressing beautifully for an evening out with Derald, Merlene brought a sense of joyful purpose and spirit to everyday life. She made the people around her feel supported, included, and loved, and the traditions and memories she created will remain with her family for generations.

A graveside service will be held at the Preston Cemetery on October 7, 2026 at 1pm. A special thanks to Inspiration Hospice for their loving care over the past few weeks, as well as the members and leadership of the South Jordan 12th ward and dozens of neighbors that have loved and supported Merlene over the years.