Ralph Owen Nelson was born 26 January 1902 in Fish Haven, Bear Lake, Idaho to David Frederick  and Ellen Findlay Nelson. He was born in his grandmother Findlay's log house.  The birth was assisted by a midwife, Elizabeth Pugmire Allguire.  Ralph married Nora Adela Buck 7 August 1922 in Randolph, Rich, Utah.  Ralph and Della as a missionary couple.