Photo courtesy of Broomhead Funeral Home - Riverton
Nov 7, 1928 - Dec 21, 2025
We loved having Ruth and Preben visit us over the years in St George. We had so much fun with them and love them dearly. This is a beautiful tribute to Preben - I am glad it will be live-streamed so we can see his service. Sending our love and prayers for peace for all of you.
Ben Hansen
January 01, 2026 | Vernal, UT | Family
Sorry for your loss he was a good man, and a good example to all of you and strong in the faith
Sally &Ken Rasmussen
December 31, 2025 | Springfield, MO | Family
Heidi, Ed, and the Flegal family, my condolences on the loss of your loved one. Sounds like he had a good life.
Sharon Peake
December 30, 2025 | Holladay, UT | Neighbor
H. Preben Nielsen, beloved husband, father, morfar and farfar passed away on December 21, 2025, at the age of 97.
He was born on November 7, 1928, in Aalborg, Denmark, to Anders Bolinius Nielsen and Carla Krista Olsen.
Preben was the oldest child and had a younger sister, Norma. He grew up in Denmark during the German occupation from 1940 to 1945, a time marked by significant challenges and many stories to tell.
On June 7, 1947, while living in Denmark, he converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a faith that remained central throughout his life. At age 17 he left home after graduating from high school to work for the Danish Customs Agency.
On March 28, 1948, guided by his faith, he boarded the SS Stockholm leaving from Gothenburg, Sweden for America, arriving in New York and continuing on to Salt Lake City, Utah. In Salt Lake City, he was reintroduced to a sweet young woman named Ruth Hansen, whom he had once met at a streetcar stop in Denmark. Their friendship grew into a courtship, and on August 25, 1949, they were married in the Salt Lake City Temple.
Together, Preben and Ruth were blessed with three children, Heidi, Connie, and Peter, whom they raised first in Murray and later in Holladay. Preben enjoyed a long career in banking, working at First Security Bank, Deseret Federal Savings and Loan, and Holladay Bank and Trust.
Preben and his sweetheart had many opportunities to travel, visiting countries throughout Europe and Asia, along with Alaska, Mexico, Canada, and Hawaii. Preben especially enjoyed being a ham radio operator, where he found joy in speaking with fellow “hams” both internationally and across the United States. He was President for a time of MARA - Mercury Amateur Radio Association. In his quieter moments, he enjoyed oil painting, woodworking projects, and tinkering with model trains.
He and Ruth were faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and were devoted to temple worship and service. He took great pride in his children and all his grandchildren and enjoyed every moment with them. He delighted in sharing his life history and experiences with them. Family meant everything to him, and he will be dearly missed.
He was survived by Heidi (Ed) Flegal, Peter (Lisa) Nielsen, 14 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren with 2 on the way and one great great grandchild.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, wife, sister, daughter, and a grandson.
Services for Preben Nielsen will be held at the Broomhead Funeral Home at 12600 S. 2200 W., Riverton, UT
A viewing will be held Saturday, January 3, 2025, from Noon - 1:00 pm.
Services will follow the viewing at 1:00 pm.
*UPDATED*Service stream link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81987705724?pwd=2It6ASiaDsE4AaghaNLv5FiIy2y3EH.1
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