Lila Nielson

Lila Hilda Wilson Nielson
1924 - 2016
Millcreek Utah

Our wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Lila Nielson, died on October 4, 2016, at her daughter’s home.  Her husband, Scott, died six weeks earlier, on August 17, 2016.  They were married over 73 years.  We rejoice in them being reunited, but will miss them both so much.

Lila was born to Pierce and Hilda Wilson on February 26, 1924, in Hiawatha, Carbon County, Utah.  She was the 4 ^th child born in a family of nine.  She loved the adventures of growing up in a small mining town.  The family moved to Huntington, Utah, when she was 15.   While in Huntington she loved to act in school and community plays, dance and spend time with her friends.

Lila and Scott eloped on April 10, 1943, to Malad, Idaho.  Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on December 11, 1963. Together they raised their 3 sons and 1 daughter.  Family is everything to Lila.  They have 12 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren.  We will all miss her love, support, smile, laugh, dill pickles, homemade noodle soup, bottled peaches and Hello Dollies.

Mom worked in Castle Dale, as the administrative assistant for the Emery County District Attorney and County Sheriff for about 15 years.  She was also deputized, and was one of a few female deputy sheriffs in the Country at that time.  She loved her bosses and this job.  After moving to Salt Lake City in June 1961, she worked at Wasatch Plumbing Company, and Packaging Corporation of America until her retirement.

Mom had many talents and hobbies including knitting, crocheting, sewing, canning, baking bread, cooking.  After she retired, she started painting ceramics.  She also made blankets and Afghans for every grandchild and great-grandchild.  Her home was immaculate, but warm and inviting.  Her garden was the same, filled with roses and flowers of all sorts, and a place for us to gather together.  Her greatest love was supporting her family and inspiring them to be as good as she saw them.

Lila loved to watch her family play sports.  She loved the Utah Jazz, but her first love, for 35 years, was to watch the Lady Utes Gymnastics.  She also had a great love for theater and the arts.  She and Wendy spent 35 years going to plays at the University of Utah, Hale Theater, Shakespeare Festival, even on Broadway

Mom and dad loved to travel, at first to visit family around the country.  They also had the opportunity to vacation in Europe, Alaska, Mexico, South America and the Caribbean.  She added Greece to her travel list just a week before she died.

Mom was a member of the LDS Church.  Her favorite callings were teaching Primary and the young women.  Lila and Scott served a Church Service Mission with the member locator group.  This was to be a 6 month mission, and turned into 12 years.

Lila was a member of a non-profit, Women Making a Difference, which was started by two granddaughters.  She truly helped the group to make a difference.

Special thank you to all the staff at Encompass Home Health and Hospice.  Joel has cared for mom for the past few years, and the hospice staff has been wonderful support with dad and mom's end of life journeys.  Thank you to all of you. Thank you also to Cannon Funeral Home for their kindness and wonderful support with both funerals.

Lila was preceded in death by her sweetheart, Scott, her parents, 3 siblings (June, Beulah and Lois), as well as a granddaughter, Emily, grandson, Kyle, and great-grandson, Matthew.

Lila is survived by 3 sons and a daughter: Scott Jr & Sharon, (Peoria, AZ), Mark & Becky (Holladay, UT), Gaylan & Elaine (SLC, UT), Wendy & John Conway (Cottonwood Hts, UT) as well as 10 grandchildren, their spouses and 25 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at Garden Heights South LDS Ward, 2220 East Fisher Lane (2935 South) at noon on Saturday, October 15, 2016.  A viewing will be at the same location Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and prior to the funeral from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Funeral Recording