Dolores Christine Nelson
September 18, 1930 - April 15, 2021
Our loving wife/mother/grandmother/sister/auntie Dolores (Dee) traveled home to meet her Father in Heaven & Jesus, her Savior, the morning of April 15, 2021. Born in Melrose Park, Illinois on September 18, 1930, to Quirino Gilobolenga Polanco and Ruth Elizabeth Lindquist Polanco. Dee was the youngest of three daughters (Juanita, Ruth and Dolores.)
Dee attributed her enthusiasm for life to her father. Starting in her early years, Dee was a very social and creative young lady. Her father and mother instilled family values at a young age. Saturdays were known for house & yard work. Sundays were for attending Church and going to their favorite restaurant followed by fishing down by the river with the family. Dee adored her two older sisters Juanita & Ruthie. Her doting sister, Juanita, who was nine years her senior, would always bring doll gifts home to her.
Dee also always appreciated the value of a good education. Whether it was studying art, design, the fundamentals of piano, horsemanship or the Lord’s gospel. After graduating from Proviso High School, she moved to North Dakota to live with her sister Ruth and brother-in-law Keith Stitzel who were attending Minot State Teachers College. While attending college, Dee met Floyd who was a teacher’s assistant in her choral music class. Floyd Marcel & Dolores Christine married on September 14, 1949. Then began a full, adventurous 69 years of life together, moving from North Dakota to Illinois, back to N.D., to Utah and Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and finally back to Utah. It wasn’t always easy to start over in a new place, but Dee made it a point to remain a consummate homemaker. She always loved serving her family and entertaining friends. The Nelson home was a gathering place for many special occasions. She would carefully craft incredible meals followed with delicious desserts. Dee loved graphic design and even used her talents to make her children paper dolls complete with designer clothing. The gifts were great treasures for her girls. For birthdays, she baked and decorated very special Barbie Doll cakes with elegant ball gowns made with buttercream icing.
Sewing was another of her many talents. She’d find wonderful fabrics and sew her own clothes. She made her young daughters colorful matching dresses. She also designed and made very stylish prom dresses for them. Dee and Floyd took oil painting classes together. Their paintings hung in their many homes. Home was always comfortable, inviting, neat and tidy. You would never know that a gang of seven kids, with their many friends and pets, roamed the house at all hours.
Above all, Dee had a very strong and joyous relationship with her Lord God, who guided her every day. She cherished studying the Bible and singing hymns; making a joyful noise with her lovely voice. In Moose Jaw, she served on the board and as chairwoman of the Christian Women’s Club for many years. She found her new family of faith at Risen Life in Holladay. She would often invite her church friends to her home at Sunrise in Holladay to visit and study the Bible.
Floyd and Dee lovingly raised seven children, Greg (Eve), Judy, Barb, Bob (Maria), Timothy Jon (Debi), Wendy (Keola) & Amy; her 12 grandchildren Shep (Elena), Becca (Clay), Amelia (Toby), Rory (Penny), Joseph, Jonathon (Stephanie), Gregory, TJ, Kathryn, Anni, Eric & Katy (Neill); and her four great-grandchildren Fletcher, Conrad, Millie Jo and Milo Marcel. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and their families across the United States.
Those mourned, who left before her: husband, Floyd Marcel; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Florence and Aden; youngest son, Timothy Jon; her parents and sisters.
Friends are invited to Celebrate Dee’s Life on Wednesday, April 21st from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Guests are encouraged to use the parking lot and entrance located on the north side in the rear of building. All are welcome to the Memorial Service will on Thursday, April 22 at 11:00 AM, also at Starks Funeral Parlor. Graveside service will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The memorial service and graveside will be livestreamed for all to attend virtually. Return to this obituary page on Thursday morning where a “Watch Service Live” button will appear. The service coverage will remain on this site for all to watch on demand thereafter.
Memorial donations may made in Dee’s name to Risen Life in Holladay, Best Friends in Utah or Salt Lake County Animal Services. Floral tributes may be arranged with Orchid Dynasty Millcreek at 801-930-0011.
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In Loving Memory
We are all sending our sympathy for your mom! She was a good lady! Mom and her were good friends! Lots of laughs together. I know mom would always put a smile on when she knew Dee was coming or they were getting together. You are right Bob. They were both good cooks and the food they made was fabulous! We will miss your mom!
Dee was a wonderful woman. I enjoyed sitting and visiting with her at church and enjoyed fellowships at her home in Taylorsville. I was a student at Wasatch Academy where her husband Floyd taught music. We will all miss her very much.
She was always so Encouraging!! Dee and Floyd were both Very dear to my heart since I was a teenager tuba player!!! I will miss her! I send all you hugs from Canada!!! Keep the faith in Christ!!!
Our deepest condolences to the family of dee. We have many good memories of a wonderful couple when they lived in Moose Jaw. Fishing trip to diefenbaker lake, band trips with floyd!
I remember Dee from my years at Wasatch Academy and the First Presbyterian Church. She was a beautiful lady, always smiling and had the most incredible skin and complexion ❤️. Church Christmas parents and craft shows were some of the best times, and Dee was a big part of their success. I am sending my love and light to her family for peace and comfort in here times.
Very sorry to hear you lost your mother. I know that pain and it can be overwhelming. But we are stronger than we know to stand up for the great life they lived and to tell people about it at her funeral. To raise as many children as your mother an father did and all the grand children and great grandchildren is a tribute to thier love of family. I didn't know your mother well but that speaks volumes. Hope that she goes to heaven lives eternally and you'll all see her again is the promise.
I feel so privileged to have come to know Dee. Such a vibrant, beautiful woman with a kind ,sweet, caring demeanor. Her prayers in our woman's bible study group on Sundays , were well thought out and so meaningful. I surely will miss Dee. My thoughts and prayers go out to her wonderful family.
I remember Dee most from my years at WA, when she consoled me when I thought I was losing Clair. I thought I was losing him and she consoled me. Jodi Tuttle
May your Mam, Wendy and your Gran, Katy be at full and deep peace in the unconditional loving presence of God. May she enjoy the company of all her loved ones who died before her and be present in a new way to her loved here on earth. Grá/Love -Lilian and Tony
Dee was old enough to be my mother and she did remind me of my mother. We had lunch and laughs together often until covid came along. I will miss her so much. Prayers are with the family.
Dee was a bright spot in my life during a dark and scary season. Her gentle words of encouragement never failed to bring me peace. I will miss her kindness and our conversations.
Oh I will miss our phone calls ..so many laughs about our high school days together in Maywood, Il we never lost touch and hearing about her wonderful family always gladdend my heart..I drove to see Dee in 2008 and to meet Floyd for the first time !! We had such a lovely time in the warmth of her loving personality and Floyds too..I will never forget her and hold them both in my prayers each day..My condolences to all her family..Patti Plantz San Francisco
In Loving Memory
