Kristi was born and raised in the Salt Lake City Deaf Branch which later became the Deaf Ward. Attended Gallaudet College in Washington DC and witnessed the creation of the Washington DC Deaf Branch. She taught the Elders how to sign Sacrament Ordinances. Taught Sunday School since the age of 10 years old. Involved with Deaf Primary in Salt Lake City for several years. Substitute teacher for ASL Seminary. She has served as Relief Society counselor and President, primary counselor and President. She has also served as a Music Leader for many years in the Salt Lake City Deaf Branch and later the Ward, then the Washington DC Deaf Branch. She served a full-time mission in Charlotte, North Carolina and Fresno, California. Skilled in researching the Early Days of Women and the Priesthood and gathering information into a large orange binder. She is happily married to Ron J. Nelson for nearly 41 years a mother to two beautiful daughters who are now on the other side of the veil. Well-known Deaf Parents were W. David Mortensen and Shanna Lee Christiansen-Mortensen.