Michael Nielson

1936 - 2017

Michael William Nielson

Cedar City, Utah

Michael William Nielson age 80, passed away peacefully on Wednesday January 12, 2017, with his loving family by his side. Michael was born April 25, 1936 in Fillmore Utah to Victor and Eva Nielson. He attended Millard High School in Fillmore Utah and graduated in 1954. Mike was a gifted athlete and a leader. While in high school he excelled in Track, Basketball and Football and played in 3 state championships. One year after high school he married his sweetheart, Audrey Johnson on March 5, 1955. They were later sealed in the St. George Temple on April 25, 1990. Together they raised seven beautiful children. Mike loved sports, hunting, fishing and spending time with his family. He passed these loves on to his family. He continued to be active in sports by coaching his children and their friend's sports teams. He had a great influence on many lives. To this day he is still known to many as "Coach".

In 1954 Mike joined the National Guard which eventually took his family to Cedar City and he served for 42 years. Mike loved Cedar Mountain and was up to the family cabin any chance he had. He loved to hunt and fish. To Mike the hunting season and spending time with his family was the "best time of the year". Mike also had a passion for Family History. He spent many hours completing his family history and making sure that each of his children and grandchildren had a copy. He loved to share stories that he found and could make you feel like you we living the story that he shared. Mike loved BYU football and the Jazz. He could tell you any play or score from any game.

Mike will be deeply missed by those he is survived by: Jeffrey Nielson, Tab (Dawna) Nielson, Kim (Charlotte) Nielson, Tyson (Jeanine) Nielson, Rondo (Judy) Nielson, Angelo (Kirsten) Nielson, and Angela (Jim) Rahman. He has 23 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren.

He is happily reunited with those who preceded him in his death, parents, siblings, and two grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at the Cedar 2nd Ward Church (256 South 900 West, Cedar City, UT). A viewing will be held on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 from 7:00-8:30 pm at Southern Utah Mortuary (190 North 300 West, Cedar City, UT). A viewing will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 from 9:30-10:30 am at the Cedar 2nd Ward Church. Interment will be in the Fillmore Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences can be sent to www.sumortuary.com.