Deanna Pearl Hinnen Nelson

Deanna Pearl Hinnen Nelson, our beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend completed her mortal journey and passed away at her beloved home in Sun River, St. George, Utah, surrounded by loving family on October 17, 2023. She was very courageous and endured her recent health issues with great dignity and calm.

Born in Murray, Utah, on May 13, 1938, to Delbert and Myrtle Watts Hinnen. Deanna grew up as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a strong testimony of prayer and priesthood blessings. She attended Murray High School, where she was involved in the Good-Will Ambassadors, which was a talented traveling assembly cast that performed music and dance. During high school, she met her sweetheart Gaylen Joe Nelson, and soon after graduation married him on June 15, 1956, at Memory Grove in Salt Lake City. Later, Deanna worked in the healthcare industry, both dental and medical. She was always very dedicated to her profession and loyal and kind to her patients.

Deanna loved dancing, cooking (especially known for her shrimp salad and banana nut bread), tending to her beautiful yard, floral design, and sports of all kinds. She was a big tennis fan as well as a fan of the Utah Jazz and Kansas City Chiefs. She also loved to travel, especially with Gaylen and her family. She loved the outdoors including family barbeques, camping, and visiting her father’s boat camp on Strawberry Reservoir. With Gaylen, she would lawn bowl, swim, and enjoy long walks. She was also very social, and her friends meant a great deal to her.You could always find her playing BINGO at the Sun River Community Center.

Deanna was extremely passionate about the love and care of animals. She had many dogs and cats throughout her life, but especially loved her kitty, Sophie. Caring for her multiple pets brought her so much happiness. The Humane Society was her favorite charity and was adamant about being a donor.

Family meant everything to Deanna, she believed in each member and found great joy in their accomplishments. She was the biggest supporter of her family with all their sports and activities, frequently serving as the team mom. She was truly their biggest fan and believed in them often more than they believed in themselves. 

She was a very kind and loving person who always had a smile and a sweet disposition. Though our hearts ache for our loss, we find great comfort in the knowledge that Deanna has returned to her Heavenly Father and is happily reunited with her sweetheart Gaylen, her parents and in-laws and many other family members and friends that she dearly loves.

Deanna is survived by her children Steve (Lynn) Nelson of St. George, Lori (David) Sperry of Sandy, Sheryl (Chris) Nepolis of St. George, 9 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and Sophie, her beloved cat. She is preceded in death by her sweetheart Gaylen, her parents, granddaughter Aubrey, two sisters-in-law, two nephews and countless friends.

Funeral services will be held for Deanna on Friday, October 27, 2023, at 1:00 pm, at the LDS Church, 4461 Country Club Dr, Sun River, St. Geroge, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to the funeral at 12:15 pm, in the same location. Interment at Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 S Dixie Dr., St George, Utah.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Humane Society would be greatly appreciated.