Nedra H. Nielsen

Richfield, Utah - Nedra Utley Hunt Nielsen, 84, died January 13, 2020, in Richfield of causes incident to age. She was born July 31, 1935, in Richfield to John Donald and Marvell Utley Hunt. She grew up in the small town of Sevier, and— as the fifth of nine children— quickly learned the ways of thrift and industry that were typical of the Depression and World War II years. Nedra met Thad Nielsen when she was a student at Elsinore Junior High, and they went together for most of their time at South Sevier High School. They were married December 21, 1951, in the Manti LDS Temple. Thad and Nedra lived for a time in Monroe, but later moved to Salt Lake City for better job opportunities to support a growing family. They would spend the next 20+ years there, raising their six children in the Poplar Grove area of Salt Lake. The Nielsens moved back home to the Sevier Valley in 1976 and have lived in Richfield ever since. Nedra was a devoted mother to her children, raising them on lots of love and homemade bread. Once her five sons and daughter were older, Nedra worked at various jobs outside the home. She took her skills in the kitchen to the dietary department at Sevier Valley Hospital, where she worked until her retirement. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Nedra served in countless callings in the church over the years— most recently as chorister, a job she especially enjoyed because she loved to sing. Thad and Nedra were temple workers in the Manti Temple for many years. They also served a full-time mission for the church in 2005 in the South Dakota Rapid City Mission, living for six months in the cold, wind, and heat of Martin’s Cove, Wyo. Mission life wasn’t always easy, but it was an experience Nedra would remember fondly for the rest of her life. She was proud of the pioneer heritage she and Thad shared, and she made the telling and documenting of family stories a special priority. Nedra had many talents. Besides being an excellent cook, she was also an accomplished seamstress. Her children and grandchildren cherish the pillowcases, quilts, pillows, and more that she made for them. She collected porcelain dolls and souvenir thimbles, and loved the color pink. Nedra also loved flowers, especially roses. She and Thad always grew a garden, and their basement pantry was filled with jars of food that Nedra had expertly canned. Her family knew that she would do anything she could for them, even if it meant a sacrifice on her part. She embodied the “virtuous woman” spoken of in Proverbs 31, so it seems only appropriate that her birthstone was a ruby. We will miss her more than we can say, especially her sweet spirit and that wonderful infectious laugh. But we also take great comfort in the knowledge that she is now having the ultimate Hunt Family Reunion with her parents, siblings, and son Russell. Nedra is survived by her husband of 68 years, Thad, of Richfield; children Randy (Ana), Salt Lake City; Brent (Jan), Stansbury Park; Stacy Jon (Amanda), West Valley City; Kirk, Taylorsville; Natalie, Richfield; and daughter-in-law Cindy, St. George; 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by siblings Cecil (Annette) Hunt and Pat (David) Simonsen, both Richfield; Betty Christensen, Central Valley; and Mary Ann (Kerby) Parker, Joseph. She was preceded in death by her parents, son Russell, and siblings Gerald, Donald Joe, Vonda, and Ila Dean. Funeral service will be held Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 1:00 P.M. In the Richfield East LDS Stake Center, 805 North 500 East in Richfield. Friends may call for viewing at the Springer Turner Funeral Home, 260 North 400 West in Richfield, Friday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or at the Stake Center Saturday from 11:00 to 12:30 prior to the services. Interment will take place in the Elsinore City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the LDS Humanitarian Fund or the Meals on Wheels program at the Richfield Senior Center. The family would like to thank the staff of the Richfield Care Center and others involved in Nedra’s care over the last several months.