Betty Nielson

At the age of eighty-six, Betty Nielson died peacefully in her sleep on the morning of March 16. With her she takes a ship of memories from one of the most enduring relationships ever launched.

Born in Fairview, Utah in 1924, Betty was the youngest child of Laura and Ross Vance. From a young age, her love for life and fun were displayed in her constant circle of activities, from dances to friends to church. However, she also possessed a business side, excelling in shorthand, typing, and bookkeeping, in both high school and college. In 1943, she married the man with whom she would share everything for 67 years, Charles Nielson. Shortly after their wedding vows, Charles, a navy man, shipped off to the Pacific Theater where he was gravely wounded on Iwo Jima. Betty traveled to San Diego where she worked in the office of a defense contractor and spent her evenings nursing her husband back to health, after which they moved back to Utah and settled in Salt Lake City.

The next sixty years were devoted to working and raising their family of four, and then watching that family grow and become families of their own. A professional mother, she raised four children and then did the same for their children. While she demonstrated a true mother’s love for each of her children, a special joy was bestowed upon her with the youngest child, Betsy, with whom she always held a special relationship.

Always a lover of games, Betty was an adept bridge player and purveyor of anything that could be dealt or thrown. She was a beautiful woman, whose lust for life sparkled in her sky blue eyes.

Betty is preceded in death by her four brothers and sisters, Blaine, Dean, Thelma, and Virginia., as well as her dear granddaughter, Tera. She leaves behind her children Charles Nielson (Olga), Laura Johnson (Dave), Betsy Baron (Jon), and Paula Nelson; 19 grandchildren, and 17 great-grand-children. A viewing will be held at the East Millcreek 11th Ward, 2702 Evergreen Avenue, on March 19 at 10:30 a.m. Funeral services will follow at 12:00 noon. Interment will be at Holladay Memorial Park, 4900 S. Memory Lane.

The family sincerely thanks the staff of Sunrise Residential Living, especially Charles, Ray, and Lyle who so unselfishly and lovingly provided our mother and grandmother with the care and attention every child wishes for his parents.