Kenneth Ira Nielsen

Layton, UT- Our sweet husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Kenneth Ira Nielsen, age 90, passed away at home on September 8, 2023.

Ken was born in a log house in Mink Creek, Idaho on June 2, 1933 to Nephi and Lillian Nielsen. Ken spent his childhood working on a farm where he developed a love for all animals.

Ken studied to become a pharmacist at Idaho State University. He worked at many pharmacies over his career, including Layton Cowley Drug and Smith’s Pharmacy, retiring after 43 years.

Ken met the love of his life, Carolea Riley in 1967 at a parent teacher conference in Layton, Utah. They were married December 22, 1967. They built their dream home in East Layton in 1969. They had discovered while drawing up blueprints that they both had drawn the exact same floor plan on paper years before they even met each other. Carolea’s parents moved into the basement and lived with them for 30 years.

Ken and Carolea couldn’t wait to start a family of their own, and their children meant the world to them. Both had children from previous marriages, Ken had two, Mike and Celeste, and Carolea had two, Dana and Mark, together they had Colette and Caroline.

Everyone who knew Ken knew how kind and patient he was.  He never said an ill word about anyone. Ken loved to sing and tap his feet around his house, he would make up a new song everyday about his “Sweet Carolea”. Ken always made silly faces that kept everyone laughing until the very end.

Ken and Carolea enjoyed many trips together, including cruises, trips to Hawaii, Florida, Mexico, Europe and most of the states. Ken also loved to camp, and enjoyed spending time at his home in Saint George, Utah.

Ken was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served diligently in many callings throughout his life.

Ken’s favorite treats were Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Sugar-Free Mindy Mints, which he received regularly for all his Birthdays and Holidays. Ken also loved to drink goats milk and would finish off quarts of it every week. He was raised around goats and preferred the taste to cow's milk.

Ken had a lifetime full of illnesses, some of which included the measles, rheumatic fever, diabetes, stage 4 lymphoma, Fibromyalgia, global amnesia, seizures, asthma, two heart attacks, he had 11 stints placed, rotator cuff surgery, and kidney failure. His goal was to make it to his 90th birthday this year- he made it!

We couldn’t have asked for a better husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He was loved dearly and we will miss him every day. His memory will live on in the hearts of all that knew him.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Nephi Nielsen and Lillian Ames Nielsen, his in-laws, Daniel Riley and Althera Riley, his sister Myrna Condie, his brother Mardell Nielsen, his son, Michael Nielsen and daughter, Dana Thornock Rasmussen and two sons in law, Nyle Thornock and David Ingram.   He is survived by his wife Carolea, his children Celeste (Steve) Wilson, Mark Nielsen, Colette Ingram and Caroline (Chris) Earl. He is survived by 12 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 3:30 p.m. at Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah. Friends may visit with family Tuesday September 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the mortuary.

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