Renee Tait Nelson

Renee Tait Nelson was born on March 27, 1934, to Weltha and Emery Tait in Ephraim, Utah. When she was born, the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck, and they weren't sure she would even survive. Renee was number 7 of 12 children. Her older sisters tried their best to teach her to cook and bake, but Renee was a tomboy and would rather be out and about with her best friend, her brother, who was just 16 months younger.

 When Renee was 17, she met the love of her life. Carl had come home on leave from Germany to visit his parents, who lived up the street. Carl's mother described their meeting as electrifying. She said you could see the sparks fly between them when they saw each other for the first time. They were married a short time later in Elko, Nevada, on December 31, 1951. 

Carl returned to Germany, and Renee had to wait until she graduated from High School before joining him. When she arrived in Germany, she found Carl had been waiting for her at the airport for 3 days. Communication wasn't that great back then, and he didn't want to miss her arrival. 

Later, she found out they weren't legally married and had to be again, this time by the German Burgermeister ( mayor) and the American chaplain.

 One adventure after another Renee followed Carl around the world. They lived in Germany, New Mexico, Japan, and Illinois. Just before their departure to Spain, Carl and Renee were sealed with their 2 daughters, Carlene and Lynnel, in the Manti Temple for time and all eternity. That was a glorious day!

They spent the next 2 years in Spain, then off to France, and back to New Mexico. Then Carl went to Vietnam, and Renee went to Utah for that year to be closer to family. The next stop was California, where Carl retired from the Air Force and joined the American Red Cross. 

Carl returned to Viet Nam, for a year while Renee stayed in California. Then it was off to Germany, back to the States, this time to Alaska. Back to California, New Mexico, Utah, and again to Germany, this time Berlin. They went to Spain, back to New Mexico, Japan, and finally to Utah, where Carl passed away. 

Renee spent the next 35 years in the same house, but she couldn't settle down even then. About every 18 months to 2 years, we would help her rearrange her furniture so she felt like she was still moving around. She also went on many excursions with different members of her family. She loved to travel. 

Renee told her oldest grandson just hours before she passed away that she had finally received her discharge papers, and she was now free to leave American soil. At 0520 on January 6, 2025, Renee left our airspace and returned to live with her loving husband of now 74 years. 

Renee outlived all of her siblings except three. She is survived by her younger brother Stan (Kay) Tait, Gayle (Que) Syndergaard, and DaNece (Scott) Fickett. She is also survived by her daughters, Carlene Uhler and Lynnel (Ronnie) Queen, 11 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and 5 great, great-grandchildren. Not bad for someone who was once told she would never have any children. 

Renee was blessed to be able to serve around the world in her many Church callings. She even taught English in a Japanese Boy's school the last time they lived in Japan. Renee had many hobbies. She loved to sew, read, knit, and crochet. She learned flower arranging in Japan, sang in church choirs and led the music. And she volunteered at the Bishop's Storehouse for many years. Renee has friends worldwide, and she thought the world of them all. She will be missed, but we know she is happy to be with her family and friends who paved the way before her. 

We love you, MOM! Give everyone hugs and kisses from us still on earth! 

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that you donate to the American Red Cross, the local food pantry, the Church of your choice, or the local food bank.