Rhea Nelson

Redmond, Utah - Our cherished Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, and friend, Rhea Lafaun Caldwell Nelson, age 90, returned to her Father in Heaven and into the loving arms of her husband of 69 years on Tuesday evening, November 4, 2025. She peacefully passed away surrounded by her sons and family in Centerfield, Utah

Rhea was born on July 9, 1935 to parents LeRoy Caldwell and Dorothy Nielsen Caldwell in Centerfield, Utah. She grew up on a family farm and worked beside her parents and siblings. She attended Gunnison High School where she made many lifelong friends and enjoyed cheerleading and other activities. She also developed a love of cooking and sewing, having been taught by her mother. Rhea married Terrel Nelson of Redmond, Utah on September 18, 1953 in Centerfield, Utah. The two of them, along with their sons, were later sealed as a family in the Manti Temple on March 19, 1963. They were devoted partners and pillars of the family until Terrel passed away on August 2, 2023.

Through the years, Rhea and Terrel worked together to buy two gas stations, cattle, several acres of farm and grazing ground in Redmond, and a coal business in Salina. As they worked with their two sons, and eventually, grandsons, the farming operation expanded, and the coal business transitioned into a successful trucking company. After Rhea’s sons were grown, she began working for the SUFCO mine in Salina, Utah and stayed with company until her retirement.

Rhea was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was a devoted member of the community in Redmond. After her retirement, Rhea spent many hours quilting with fellow Senior Citizens in the North Sevier area. As a couple, Rhea and Terrel enjoyed donating their time and money to the community and several youth programs. They shared a deep love for the history and beauty of Redmond and surrounding areas. Family was the most important thing to Rhea and she shared this love by planning and cooking for hundreds of reunions and celebrations. She was a skilled and accomplished cook and baker. She loved to spend time in her yard and worked diligently to keep her home beautiful. She poured her love into quilting and sewing and has personally made and gifted quilts to each child, grandchild and great-grandchild, as well as many other family members and friends.

Rhea is survived by: her two sons, Ken (Leslee) Nelson and Kirby (Leslie) Nelson of Redmond; Sisters-in-Law Iris (Don) Hales, Grace Nelson, Gerda Caldwell, Elaine Nelson, and Ida Nelson; 7 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by: her husband Terrel; her parents LeRoy and Dorothy Caldwell; brothers Wallace (Doris), Paul, Will LeRoy, and Morris (Kathryn); sister Viva Jensen; and grandson Mace.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 12:00 Noon at the Redmond Ward Church. Friends and family may call for viewing at the Redmond Church on Wednesday evening, November 12, 2025 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, or on Thursday morning from 10:00 - 11:30 AM prior to services. The burial will take place at the Redmond Cemetery under the care of Springer Turner Funeral Homes of Richfield and Salina.

Livestreaming of Rhea’s funeral will be available under her obituary at springerturner.com 15 minutes prior to services starting.

The family of Rhea would like to thank the caring staff at Mission at Community Assisted Living and Rehab in Centerfield as well as the many family and friends who have visited and shown support to Rhea over the past year.