Thelma Evans Nielsen

Thelma Evans Nielsen

“Pink Grandma”

February 12, 1937 ~ August 23, 2022

Thelma Evans Nielsen passed away on the morning of August 23, 2022, freed from the earthly bounds to rejoin her soulmate, Kent. Thelma was born February 12, 1937, in Ogden, Utah, the youngest daughter of David Morgan and Anina Louisa Pectol Evans.

She fell in love at an early age and joyfully wed her eternal companion on October 14, 1953. They were later sealed for time and all eternity on August 30, 1954. They were married for 39 years, cut short only by the unexpected death of Kent on March 17, 1992.

Together, Kent and Thelma had seven amazing children. As if seven children were not enough, they also started several businesses, the most impactful of which were seven Dairy Queen stores throughout northern Utah. The Dairy Queen stores fostered opportunities for their children to learn and develop a strong work ethic. They enabled countless employment opportunities for generations of Utah residents and were strong examples of accountability and honesty.

Thelma was most proud of her family and loved spending time with them. Those seven amazing kids went on to give her 27 grandchildren and 59 great-grandchildren. She was affectionately known by her family as “Pink Grandma” and loved to show off her favorite color, especially by dying her hair pink.

She was actively involved in many civic duties including PTA, P-Flag, Autism Awareness, and Disability Rights. She volunteered in elementary classrooms for many of her grandchildren and hosted three foreign exchange students through a year of high school. Everyone that had an opportunity to interact with Thelma left inspired and loved.

Thelma had been an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints AND an active member of the United Church of Christ. She was a devout believer that we are all children of God and that everyone is worthy of unconditional love. Thelma had an amazing ability to make new friends with every interaction. She embodied the belief that ‘There are no strangers, only friends not yet met.’

She loved putting her talents to work with exquisite crocheting, sewing, scrapbooking, embroidery, cake decorating, dancing, singing, and other crafting. She loved to travel and was able to see many amazing places throughout the world. Thelma also enjoyed a variety of Game Shows.

Thelma is survived by her seven children, Bill (Janelle) Nielsen, St George, UT; Brett (Francis) Nielsen, Las Vegas, NV; Diane (Steve) Wall, Chugiak, AK; Andy Nielsen, Ogden, UT; Trudy (Dale) Pierce, Layton, UT; Rachel (Don) Johnston, Henderson, NV; and Morgan (Michelle) Nielsen, Syracuse, UT; 26 grandchildren and 59 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother, Morgan Dee Evans, Boise, Idaho. Thelma was preceded in death by her parents; her soulmate husband, William Kent Nielsen; two brothers; two sisters; and one grandson.

An incredibly special thank you to Sydney, Shannon, Crysten and the amazing team from Atlas Health and Hospice. Your compassionate care over the past few months has been extraordinary.        

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 27, 21022 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Friday, August 26^th from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, August 27th from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Rd, Ogden, UT.

Services will be lives-streamed and available the day of the services by scrolling to the bottom of  Thelma's obituary at www.lindquistmorttuary.com.

ORDER VIDEOS