Norma Lucille Nelson Mcclelland

Norma McClelland, 90, passed away peacefully at the family home in Salt Lake City on 24 December. She was born Norma Nelson to Ralph and Ruth Nelson on January 9th, 1923 at Homestake Gold Mining Company hospital in Lead, SD. Her family soon moved from Lead to near Gillette, WY as her father worked for Homestake as plant engineer of their coal mine at Wyodak, near Gillette.

Norma attended a one-room school at Wyodak through 8 grades, then graduated from Gillette High School in 1940. She was awarded a scholarship to Cottey College, Nevada, MO, graduating from the 2 year business program in 1942. She worked as a secretary in Denver, CO, until she returned to Lead, SD in 1944, working as an executive secretary in the Homestake offices there.

She left Lead in 1951 to go to Salt Lake City, Utah, where she worked for several years as an administrative secretary for Ford Motor Co, University of Utah and others. She met C. Verne McClelland and they were married in October, 1953. Verne worked for the State of Utah until his retirement. Norma left the work force in 1960 to welcome their first child, John, into the McClelland home on Fuller Drive, which they bought in 1957. Son Jim joined the family a little over a year later. Norma continued as a wife and homemaker at the family home until her passing. Her husband Verne preceded her in death. Her two sons, John and Jim, and their daughters Kennedy and Jacqueline respectively, survive. Other survivors include her brother Jim Nelson and wife, Ruth, of Spearfish, SD, their children and families, the children and families of Verne's sister, Shirley, who had previously passed, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and favorite Aunt Olga Nelson of Lead, SD.

A viewing for family and friends will be held Thursday, January 2, 2014 from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East. Norma will be interred beside her husband at the Wasatch Lawn Cemetery in Salt Lake City at a future date. The family suggests contributions in Norma's memory may be made to any Hospice of their choice. Messages can be sent to the family by using the links provided at the top of this page.