Lana Kathleen Nelson Bradbury

February 9, 1948 - July 2, 2024

Lana was born February 9, 1948 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Leona Ferguson Nelson and George Leonard Nelson, Jr.   Her siblings and half siblings included Harvey, Nancy, Melody, and Brad Lee.  She grew up in the East Mill Creek area of Salt Lake City, graduating from Skyline High School in 1966.  

"Lana had an adventurous, open-minded and courageous spirit, which led her to various experiences and new horizons.   Her devotion to serve others and to God brought her to missionaries in China and as part of one of the first student exchange programs with the former Soviet Union, and to teach in Ukraine after they won their freedom from the Soviet Union in 1991.  Lana had a passion for life, and made the most out of any situation, from raising three children, to breeding and training horses on a small ranch in Missouri, to completing a master's degree in the Russian language, to teaching math and science at high schools and universities, to pursuing a tech startup for children's art and everything in between. Lana was a gifted artist, musician and craftswoman, with too many talents to list, but notably, reviving the art of spinning yarn from scratch by farming angora rabbits in Maine.  Lana was selfless and harmless, but also bold and fearless; she lived life to the fullest, and made the most out of God's gifts and guidance. Lana served for the benefit of others without the need for recognition or praise - her reward is the happiness of her family and the countless lives she has touched throughout the world. The world is a better place because of Lana."  (Excerpt from Lana's published obituary by Baird Funeral Home, Bend, Oregon.)

Lana married John Herbert "Jack" Bradbury in 1978, and together they spent the next 42 years living and loving life together, primarily in Maine.  They blended families with their combined children: Christine O'Sullivan; Cyndi Lohrer;  Aimee Donofrio; Reed Sandberg; and Roy Sandberg.  Jack passed away on January 26, 2020, and was buried in Maine.  Lana passed away July 2, 2024 and will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Jack, in Maine.

Services will be on July 4, 2024 at 1pm, Eastmont Church, 62425 Eagle Rd, Bend Oregon.