Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Services

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. 

All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” ~ Helen Keller

Forthcoming funeral services are planned for the following friends from our community. Complete versions of these obituaries may be found in The Payson Chronicle and on our website at paysonchronicle.com.

Don Harold Christensen

Don Harold Christensen, age 83 of Payson, passed away Friday, July 29, 2016 at his home. He was born June 5, 1933, In Payson to Harold and Dorothy Kitchen Christensen. He grew up in Payson, graduating from Payson High School in 1951. Don served in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1957. Don married his sweetheart, Neva Nelson, in 1953. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple. He was employed for 36 years at Geneva Steel, Orem, Utah, in the Open Hearth.

Don fought multiple health problems, surviving countless surgeries, both major and minor, until he could not fight any more.  Throughout it all, he never lost the sense of humor that brought smiles to those around him.  The jokester, the storyteller, has graduated.  He left his tired, frail body behind. His children and grandchildren will always remember his jokes, his stories, the simple hugs and conversations.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Dorothy Kitchen Christensen; and his brother, Bruce.  Don is survived by his wife, Neva; children: David Todd (Merlene) Christensen, William Don (Michelle) Christensen,  Cheryl  (Clint) Thompson,  Rebecca (Randy) Harrison; and 12 grandchildren.  He is also survived by siblings: Lorna (Ruel) Lewis, Marie (Robert, deceased) Hatch, Kent (Elaine) Christensen, Clair (Raylene) Christensen, and Renee Iker.

Memorial services will be at the LDS chapel at 1128 East 100 North, Payson, Utah, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 13, 2016. There will be a visitation for family and friends, also at the church that day, from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to services.  Interment at Payson City Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the American Legion, Dist. #4.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.walkerobits.com

Mourning The Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Services

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. 

All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” ~ Helen Keller

Forthcoming funeral services are planned for the following friends from our community. Complete versions of these obituaries may be found in The Payson Chronicle and on our website at paysonchronicle.com.

CHERI ADELE NIELSON

Cheri Adele Nielson (age 75) returned home August 5, 2016.  She was born May 21, 1941, the first of seven children to Keith and Avadele Ward in Provo Utah.

Cheri loves her family and will be greatly missed by all. She is truly a daughter of God and a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She loves the Savior and set a great example for her posterity by consistently serving others and bearing testimony wherever she went. She served a mission in the Philippines, spent years as an 11-year-old scout leader, loved the sisters in her ward as a Relief Society President, and held many more callings throughout her life. 

Her greatest calling was being a wonderful spouse, a marvelous mother, and a beloved grandmother. She was an outstanding teacher and worked as an aide in various schools. She touched and blessed the lives of many children. Cheri knows and loves Jesus Christ; her faith shines like a light to us all as she gracefully endured the hard times in her life and brought peace and happiness to all who knew her.

Cheri was preceded in death by her Parents, Keith and Arvadele Ward, her Father-in-law, Albert Senius Nielson II, Brother-in-law, Albert Senius Nielson III, and Son, Garth Hugh Nielson.

Survived by her spouse, William Marion Nielson, Mother-in-law, Ethel Mae Johnson Nielson (age 96), 6 Siblings and 5 Children; Sandra (Ken) Robinson, Christine (Jerry) Chadwick, William (Kay) Nielson, Stephanie (Kevin) Terry, Jeneal (Mike) Christian, (Melanie) Nielson, 48 Grandchildren, and 34 Great Grandchildren. 

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, August 9, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Church on the corner of 2660 S. River Rd and 1905 E. Rustic Dr. St George, Utah. A viewing will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. There will be a sunrise Graveside Service held the next day, Wednesday, August 10, 2016, at Spanish Fork Cemetery 420 S. 400 E. at 9:00 a.m. Condolences may be shared at www.mcmillanmortuary.com.

Lavon and Maurine Ross Grand Marshals of Orchard Days Parade

"We've been together all our lives," Maurine Ross (pictured, left) said last Thursday as she and husband Lavon (right) spoke about their lives together in Santaquin.  The couple will ride as Grand Marshals during tomorrow morning's Orchard Days Grand Parade.  Find the complete story as well as Orchard Days event details and the parade line-up in this week's edition of The Payson Chronicle.

Salem Days Kicks Off This Weekend

The Salem Days celebration kicks off this weekend and culminates next Saturday, August 13, with a full day of events.  Pick up a copy of the upcoming edition of The Payson Chronicle for details.  Check out the events tab at  www.salemcity.org, too, for the fun in store throughout the week. 

Algal Bloom Detected in Big East Lake; Public Warned to Stay Out of Payson Lakes

PROVO, UT –  The public, their pets, and other animals are warned to stay out of Big East Lake in Payson Canyon due to the discovery of an algal bloom. Utah County Health Department (UCHD) collected samples Thursday, July 28th to determine the extent and presence of the bloom. Samples showed cell counts significantly over the “dangerous” human health risk threshold of 10 million cells per milliliter (mL) according to the World Health Organization’s guidance on harmful algal blooms.

Sampling crews are collecting additional samples and posting warning signs today.

Crews will conduct preliminary screening tests onsite for cyanotoxins to determine whether samples need to be submitted to labs for more detailed toxin analysis. Signs are being posted warning people against recreating in the lake due to the presence of harmful algal blooms. Other area lakes are being sampled and tested as well.

Payson City has stopped drawing water from the lake for its pressurized irrigation system.  The Pressurized Irrigation system is currently using Strawberry Water, Spring Lake water and wells and springs.  There should be no concern for residents of Payson City to utilize their pressurized irrigation system while the health authorities are conducting additional testing on the Big East Lake.  If residents wish to take additional precautions, it is suggested they run their sprinklers after 10:00 p.m. and before 6:00 am to avoid any exposure to the spray. It is also recommended to restrict your children from playing in the sprinklers.  Any concerned citizens may contact the city offices at 801-465-5200.

“There is a health risk,” says Ralph Clegg, UCHD Executive Director. “People should stay out of the water and keep their pets and livestock away from the water.” Additionally, anglers should clean fish well and discard fish guts.

“Conditions are right for algal blooms,” says Ben Holcomb, coordinator of the Division of Water Quality Harmful Algal Bloom Program. “Hot temperatures, lots of sunlight, calm water and elevated levels of nutrients create the bloom. This is not the first algal bloom in the Big East Lake, as it was closed for a month in 2015.”

Although algae are a natural part of many freshwater ecosystems, under the right conditions they can proliferate to create large algal blooms. These blooms can contain harmful cyanobacteria, a type of bacteria (often referred to as blue-green algae) that produces toxins that can pose risks to humans, wildlife, domestic animals and fish.

Symptoms of cyanotoxin poisoning include headache, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and sometimes allergic-like reactions from the skin.

For concerns about possible human exposure, call the Utah Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222, or your physician. For concerns about possible exposure to animals; contact local veterinarian.

Updates are available at: http://deq.utah.gov/locations/U/utahlake/algal-bloom.htm

General information about harmful algal blooms is available from DEQ athttp://www.deq.utah.gov/Pollutants/H/harmfulalgalblooms/index.htm

August 7th Marks Seventh Concert in Payson's Memorial Park

August 7th happens to be the 7th concert in the concerts in the park. Remember: Concerts are 8:00 PM in Memorial park.

Sunday's concert is comprised of the following:

1. Memorial Park
2. Clarinet ensemble 
3. Zacatecas 
4. Glory of the Trumpets
5. Mary Poppins
6. Beach Boys Forever
7. Oliver
8. I Left My Heart in San Francisco 
9. Raiders March
10. Pirates of the Caribbean 
11. Blue Ridge Saga
12. Star Spangled Banner


-- Wayne Huff

Santaquin Welcomes Rocky Mountain Pro Rodeo Association Rodeo August 5 and 6

Pictured: Mason Clements from Santaquin riding Lizzard Medicine for a score of 85 points, placing second for the night at the recent Fiesta Days Rodeo in Spanish Fork.  Photo by Todd Phillips

Join in the Santaquin Celebration festivities this Friday and Saturday, August 5-6, by attending the RMPRA Rodeo. The rodeo starts at 7:30 PM each night at the Santaquin Rodeo Grounds.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 3-12.  Get $1 off tickets purchased in advanced online at www.santaquin.org or at the Santaquin City offices by noon on August 5.  Tickets are available for purchase at the gate at full price.

Find out more about this week's celebration in Santaquin in the print edition of The Payson Chronicle

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