Nelda Ricks McClellan

Obituary

Nelda Ricks McClellan peacefully passed away on December 15, 2024, after a brief illness.

Nelda was born on October 31, 1937, in Rexburg, Idaho, to Aaron Ricks and Miriam Scholes Ricks. Her Halloween birthday served her well for many years. She loved to celebrate with friends wearing a friendly witch costume and sharing her famous pumpkin bundt cake. Her house was the most sought-after destination for trick or treaters of all ages.

She loved growing up on the farm and had many adventures with her brothers and sisters. Trips to Green Canyon and huckleberry picking were some of her favorites, as well as birdwatching and wildflower sighting with her mother, and riding horses and branding cattle with her dad.

She graduated from Sugar Salem High School and attended Ricks College where she studied education. One of her college highlights was starring in the stage production of The Glass Menagerie. This instilled in her a love for live theater. She enjoyed taking her children and grandchildren to many productions, including The Nutcracker and Les Miserables.

On June 19, 1958, she married Wayne McClellan in the Idaho Falls Temple. They lived in Blackfoot for many years, then moved to Mackay to retire. Together they loved attending rodeos, traveling, fishing and boating at Bear Lake, hosting parties for their many friends, and cheering for the Colorado Rockies.

Nelda was an elementary school teacher for several years in both Idaho Falls and Blackfoot. She prided herself on helping her students love to read. After retiring from teaching, she came back years later and worked as a school librarian at Elmwood and later Ridge Crest Elementary in Blackfoot. As a librarian, she was truly in her element and had the time of her life reading and recommending all her favorites.

She was a busy lady and had many hobbies. She was a 4-H fair judge for many county fairs. She loved collecting and entering her antiques at the Eastern Idaho State Fair, winning several grand champion ribbons. Many babies are the recipients of her beautiful, crocheted afghans. She was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and the Singing Mothers.

She served in many church callings, including stake and ward Relief Society presidencies, but her all-time favorite places to share her talents were as camp director and Primary chorister. She loved being among the youth and was blessed by their friendships many years later. 

Her children and grandchildren were her absolute pride and joy — literally. She was their biggest fan and attended many dance recitals, track meets, and baseball games, cheering louder than anyone.

Her final year was spent at Serenity Transitional Care in Twin Falls. She made many new friends and loved singing karaoke, making jewelry, and eating chile rellenos from Janitzio’s.

She is survived by her daughter Joy (Phillip) Sorensen, (Kimberly, Idaho), grandchildren Whitney Sorensen (Indianapolis), Cassidy (Cody) Jardine, (Idaho Falls), Eli Sorensen (Boise): and great-granddaughters, Baylor and Collins Jardine.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne, and son John, parents Aaron and Miriam Ricks, and siblings, Sharon Ricks, Amy Shirley, David Ricks, Max Rick, and Charles Ricks.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Brio Home Health and Hospice and Serenity Transitional Care for their help over the years. Per Nelda’s request, a funeral service will be held in the spring “when there is no snow on the ground and the daffodils are blooming.” Arrangements will be under the direction of Hawker Funeral Home. 

In her memory, the family requests that you take some time to read with a child, visit your local library, or join a book club. Like she always said, “A book is a present you open again and again.”