Leslie Nielsen

Kingston, Utah – In the early morning hours of April 8, 2023, Leslie George Nielsen, age 90, passed away holding hands with his sweet wife, Lena, at his home in Kingston. Leslie was born November 5, 1932, in Kingston, a son of George Anthony and Ada Adelia Nielsen Nielsen. He grew up in Kingston and graduated from Circleville High School, Class of ’51. He received his Associate degree from Cedar City College. He also attended Dixie College, and the university of North Carolina. While living in Germany he attended Heidelberg University.

Leslie joined the Airforce, the Army and the Army National Guard and was honorable discharged.

Leslie married Geraldine Peterson August 3, 1957, in Fredonia, Arizona. To this union were born four children: Kip, Shellie, Wendy, and a baby boy that was born on Leslie’s birthday in 1961 but passed away the next day. Leslie and Geraldine were later divorced.

He then married Lena Bell Cowley Jolley June 14, 1968, in Venice, Utah and became father to her three children, Keri, David and Dallen. Together, they had a son, James. Leslie and Lena were sealed for time and all eternity in the Manti LDS Temple October 18, 2003.

Leslie is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he received great joy from teaching the young adults in Sunday School. He remained friends with many of them over the years.

Dad was mayor of Kingston Town for 16 plus years. If he wasn’t’ Mayor he was serving on the town council. He loved Kingston and the people that live there. He always wanted to make it a better place.

Dad played a huge part in installing the new water system for Kingston Town. Many hours were spent with attorneys and engineers along with getting the system installed perfectly. Dad was also the water master for unknow number of years. He took it over after his dad.

Dad loved hunting. He could spot the deer before anyone in the group. He had a love for farming and raising his own cattle. He would walk to the farm whistle and the cows would run to him. He designed and built his own home and business, both located in Kingston. He had a true love of automobiles. He continued to do work on and inspect vehicles well into his 80’s. It was a hard time for him to admit it was time to sell his station.

Dad is survived by his loving wife, Lena of Kingston; his children: Leslie Kip and Linda Nielsen of Austin; Shellie and Sheldon Coleman, Wendy and Sam Fullmer, all of Elsinore; Keri Swartzmiller of Kingston; David Brent and Tammy Jolley of Cedar Hills; Dallen and Darlene Jolley of Dayton, Idaho; James and Lily Nielsen of Taylorsville; 30 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; a sister-in-law: Betty Luke of Venice.

He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Ada Nielsen; his parents-in-law: Rodney and Urania Cowley; siblings: Amy Maloney, Emil Nielsen and Arthor Nielsen; and a daughter-in-law: Donna Nielsen.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. in the Circleville 2nd LDS Ward Chapel. Friends may call for viewing at the Springer Turner Funeral Home in Richfield, Friday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or at the ward chapel in Circleville Saturday morning from 9:00 to 10:30 prior to the services.

Live streaming of the services can be found at: www.springerturner.com under Leslie’s obituary about 15 minutes prior to starting time.

Burial with military honors accorded by the Sevier Valley American Legion Post #37 and the Utah Honor Guard will be in the Kingston Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.

FUNERAL SERVICES LIVESTREAM