The Herald Journal, 04/20/06


LOGAN -- Nellie Grace Grosjean Wadsworth, 101, passed away April 12, 2006, at Logan Nursing and Rehabilitation Center with her daughter, Nancy, at her side. She was born in Montpelier, Idaho, on Nov. 14, 1904, to Emil Charles and Lena Bertha Trussel Grosjean. She was the oldest of two children, having a brother, Albert. At 10 years of age she started taking piano lessons. She continued throughout high school where she was the accompanist for assemblies.

She was a member of the Montpelier High School class of 1922, however she did not graduate. In 1923 she began working as a sales clerk in the Golden Rule Store. Eventually, the owner offered her employment at his store in Logan. She worked and attended the BY College part time. During this time she took piano lessons from Professor Clark.

In August 1926 she met her husband, Harold Frederick Maughan Wadsworth. They were married June 27, 1928, in the Logan LDS Temple. Three children were born to them, H. Wayne (Laila) of Salt Lake City, Joyce (Dan) Durrant of Phoenix and Nancy (Louis) Griffin of North Logan. Currently there are 13 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Following their marriage, they moved to Cowley, Wyo., for two years, where Harold taught high school. They then moved to Beaver, Utah, where he taught two more years. The next move was to North Cache High School in Richmond. At this time, Nellie taught piano lessons to several young children. 

Harold was called into active duty during World War II. They lived at Lowry Field Air Base where Harold was the post maintenance officer of the Army Air Force. While living on the Army base, Nellie contracted rheumatic fever and was bedridden for four months. At the conclusion of the war, they moved back to Richmond, but only for a short time. In 1946 Harold accepted the position of director of Physical Plant Operations at Utah State University, and they moved to Logan.

Always active in the LDS Church, she served in the YWMIA as secretary-treasurer when she was a teenager. She was a Primary teacher for over 10 years and taught several years in the YWMIA. She again served as secretary, second and first counselors in the Relief Society. At the age of 69 she graduated from the LDS Institute. In November 1974 she and her husband served for 18 months in the Florida-Tampa LDS Mission. Upon returning, Nellie was called to serve as the music specialist for the 10th Ward. She served in this position for nearly 20 years.

When she moved to the Williamsburg Retirement Center, she was the organist for the branch until January 2006. She also was the accompanist for the weekly "Sing-a-Long" group until the week before her passing. Harold passed away in March 1985. Following his death, Nellie became very active at the Senior Citizen Center where she played the piano and organ for 15 years. She also provided music for AARP and the Ladies Auxiliary for Disabled Veterans. In 1992 she received the Silver Bowl Award from Gov. Norm Bangerter. This award recognized the service which she had rendered these organizations.

In November 1986, Nellie married Lee Peterson. She enjoyed playing the piano with him as he played his violin. Due to diabetes, Lee eventually moved to Sunshine Terrace where he died. After moving to Williamsburg, she met Warren Hansen. They were married and enjoyed 18 months together before his passing.

In the early years of her marriage, the care of her children took precedence over everything else. In her later years she honored her parents by her unfaltering love and care for them on a daily basis over a period of many years. She was preceded in death by her husbands, parents and brother.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday, April 22, at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center, Logan, with Branch President Rex Thompson conducting. Burial will be in the Logan Cemetery.