Claudia Nelson Sipe

Claudia Nelson Sipe passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Orem Utah the morning of December 31st, 2024. Her beloved Martin was at her side the evening before enjoying one of their favorite midnight reminiscences of their life and family together. She was 78 years old. She meant everything to him.

She was born the third daughter of Velma Hancock Nelson and Andrew Hyrum Nelson on February 8th, 1947, in Safford, Arizona although she grew up in neighboring Thatcher. Claudia had an idyllic childhood living near many of her close relations from the Hancock, Palmer, Kimball, and Nelson clans. Her parents farmed and taught school. In 1966, the family moved to Barstow, California as her parents began teaching there. She obtained an Associate’s degree in clerical workings. Always popular amongst friends as she made everyone feel special and comfortable, it was the meeting between her father and Martin at church which first connected her to her future life.

When Martin came to Barstow, to be near his sister Carrie, he began working as a firefighter. The two were drawn together and began courting despite irregular schedules. They were later married in the Mesa, Arizona temple on August 23rd, 1967. They continued to live in Barstow with the birth of twins, Marla and Marty, and another son, Eric. They moved to Orem in 1976 and to their current home soon after where they were blessed with three more children, Sterling, Heidi and Blake.

As the family grew, Claudia served in various organizations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She had a faithful testimony of Jesus Christ and loved studying beautiful precepts of the gospel. Always astute at record keeping and details, she served wherever she was called. Likewise, she supported Martin in his various businesses and was hired by others for tax, bookkeeping, and management work. However, she will be most remembered for the genuine way she blessed others, opened her home, and made everyone around her feel special. Truthfully, she has been the light of our lives.

Claudia is survived by her two youngest brothers David Nelson (Julie) and Lloyd Nelson (Linda). In her immediate family, she is survived by her husband Martin Allen Sipe Sr and her children Marla (Darrell Weaver), Martin “Marty” Sipe (Shannon), Eric Sipe (Evelin), Sterling Sipe (Jen), Heidi (Kevin Berdan) and Blake Sipe (Kristina). She has 28 grandchildren (with the addition of spouses) and 12 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 9th at 11:00 at the LDS chapel located at 500 South 600 West in Orem, Utah. She will be interred at the Orem City Cemetery.

If you would like to assist the family with funds by donating toward the funeral services for Claudia, her venmo link is below and the phone code is: 9991 Claudia Venmo

Claudia Service Broadcast