Willard Nielsen

WILLARD LaGRAND NIELSEN Willard LaGrand Nielsen peacefully passed away on Saturday, 10 April 2010, at his daughter\'s home in Sandy, Utah. He was 102. Born in Hyrum, Utah, in 1907, LaGrand became a dentist and served for 29 years as an Army Officer. His patients included casualties from the Battle of the Bulge, as well as General and Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower and General and Mrs. Mark Clark. Upon retirement, he was awarded the "Legion of Merit," the Army\'s highest decoration for peacetime service. He served four missions for his church and became an international athlete in his retirement years. In addition to being a fine family man, he was a religious leader, and a Scouter. Hemet was home to LaGrand from 1982 to 2007. He was active in the LDS church, the Alzheimer\'s Support Group, and community service activities; and he participated in many local running events (usually as the oldest participant). He worked for Miller-Jones Mortuary until his 100th birthday. LaGrand is survived by four of his children. He also has 20 grand children, 58 great grand children, and 16 great-great grandchildren. His wife Beatrice (1988) and one daughter (1937) preceded him. A memorial service will be held in Sandy, Utah at 2:30 pm, Friday, 16 April 2010. Interment will be on Saturday, 17 April 2010, in the Hyrum City Cemetery, Hyrum, Utah. The Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Center at 1007 West South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan, UT 84095 (801-254-1928) will be handling the services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Perpetual Education Fund at www.ldsphilanthropies .com/pef