Rea Leslie Nielsen

Rea L. Nielsen, our beloved husband, brother, dad, and grandpa, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 26, 2022. His battle with serious medical issues throughout his life, especially these past few years, showed his never-ending courage as he faced life head-on and without hesitation. Rea overcame countless odds against him, and he fought bravely to the very end.
Rea's life can be defined as one of many passions. He loved to travel with his wife of fifty-three years. They would often load up a truck and take weekend drives to explore the beautiful scenery of Utah. Rea loved to spend family time at Disneyland and delighted in putting his toes in the sand of the beaches of Oceanside, California. He was an avid golfer, loved to ski and flyfish, he loved to coach soccer, and he loved to get his heart broken by his Utah Utes football. Above all else, Rea was passionate about his family. He adored his wife and two kids and cherished every minute that he got to spend with his four grandchildren.
In his professional life, Rea lived as an example of hard work and dedication. He maximized every day and became an example of diligence and purpose for hundreds of people he worked with through the decades.
Rea is survived by his wife, Annette "Annie" Nielsen (married July 19, 1969); son Schon Nielsen (Tonia Nielsen); daughter Amy Maurer (Randy Maurer); and sister Charlene Taul. Rea is also survived by his grandsons, Brandon Nielsen, Jordan Nielsen, Max Maurer and Alex Maurer. He loved to spend time with many cousins, nieces and nephews, along with sisters-in-law, Margo Gardner and Denise Perkins, and brother-in-law Don Brown.
In lieu of funeral services, the family will hold a Celebration of Life, date and location to be determined.