Photo courtesy of Broomhead Funeral Home - Riverton
Riverton, Utah
Jun 22, 1950 – May 4, 2024
Nathan Isaac Nilsson, 73, of Bluffdale, UT, returned home to his Heavenly Father in the early morning hours of May 4, 2024. He fought a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease but never let that take the joy from his life or the smile from his face.
Nathan was born on June 22, 1950, in Woods Cross, UT. He was the son of Sven Osborne and Dorothy Fay (Hubbard) Nilsson. He was the first son and the fifth of twelve children.
Nathan was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints his entire life and in 1969 he was called to serve in the Palmyra, New York Mission. He learned to serve others from this experience and spent the remainder of his life serving all those he came in contact with and had a contagious smile for everyone he met.
Nathan began his career at the Granite Mountain Record Vault for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1973. This brought him his greatest blessing as he met the love of his life there and on May 25, 1974, he married Edith Anna Zilm in the Oakland, CA temple for time and all eternity. Together they were blessed with 10 children, 39 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. Nathan retired in 2018 after a wonderful 45-year career in his field.
Nathan loved his family and found the greatest joy in being surrounded by them. He could always be found with 2 or 3 of his grandchildren on his lap. They all loved their grandpa so much!
Nathan loved his wife more than anything else and even towards the end he would express how beautiful he thought she was and how much he loved her. Nathan passed away just 21 days shy of their 50th Wedding Anniversary. He was the most loving husband and father.
Nathan is survived by his loving wife, Edith Anna (Zilm) Nilsson. His children, Sandra (Isaac) Wardle, Melinda (David) Otieno, Carrie (Clint) Parker, Mark (Heidi) Nilsson, Barbara (Matt) Boyer, Michael (Celcey) Nilsson, Sarah (David “Bean”) Daniel, David (Janiel) Nilsson, Jacob (Alyeska) Nilsson, Kristie (Kory) Urry. His grandchildren, Mikayla (Noa), Sydney, Mitchell, Kwynncey, Brynnley, Robynn (Kory), Brian (Jessica), Alexis, Teija, Diana, Nicholas, Fredricka, Olivia, William, Tyler (Daysha), Kelsey, Ashlee, Britnee, Johnathan, Christopher, David, Orion, Elyra, Malaki, Nikoli, Kataleya, Patrick, Dorothy, Adam, Shirley, Joseph, Jakob, Kovin, Kodakiah, Safara, Kamree, Aiden, Jane and Jace. His great grandchildren, Dominick, Athea, Theodore, Raelynne, Talia, Kane, Aisake, Tama Ta’ane, Bruno. He is also survived by many siblings, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Nathan was preceded in death by his parents Sven and Dorothy Fay Nilsson, His sister Vanessa, and his brother Steven.
We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Nathan’s family and friends at The Peaks at South Jordan and Bristol Hospice. They loved him unconditionally and he loved them. We will forever be grateful to them for providing him with such great care.
A viewing will be held on Friday, May 17, 2024, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Bluffdale 9th ward meetinghouse located at 14662 South 3200 West Bluffdale, UT.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 18, 2024, following the viewing from 10:00 – 10:45 am at the Bluffdale 9th ward meetinghouse, 14662 South 3200 West Bluffdale, UT 84065
Read MoreNathan is the most loving & kindest person I have had the greatest pleasure of knowing. I will forever be grateful for his sweet & loving soul. I will miss him until we meet again!
Ingrid Phillips
May 21, 2024 | 24812 Bent Tree Ln., Lake Fo, CA | Family
I have known Nathan for many years, we worked together at the GMRV. Nathan, you are a great person, kind and full of kindness for everyone. I will miss you.
Pia Ruz-Navarro
May 14, 2024 | RIVERTON, UT | Coworker
Rest in peace brother
Benjaminhkeele
May 12, 2024
I was blessed to have worked with Nathan for many years. He was a beacon of sunshine and never stopped smiling. I wondered if he smiled while he slept. He was always proud and talked highly of his family. He will be missed.
Tamara Walkenhorst
May 10, 2024 | Draper, UT | Friend
I knew Nathan from the time he started at the Granite Mountain Records Vault. He was a positive influence in all that he did and he did it with a smile. He has made many friends and was welcomed by many on the other side.
Eric Erickson
May 10, 2024 | Rexburg, ID | Coworker
Nathan is such a kind wonderful person. He made everyone he talked to feel important. He will be keenly missed here but I know he continues to serve in Heavenly Father's great work. My sincere condolences.
Scott Morris
May 10, 2024 | Provo, UT | Coworker
Nathan was a colleague in the Church History Department and the nicest man! He had a constant and genuine smile. He is so tender and emulated our Savior. I know he is right where he should be on the other side of the veil doing much good and waiting for his family to join him.
Diane Matson
May 09, 2024 | Coworker
Nathan was a joy to work with in the Church History Department. He exuded a genuine warmth and kindness for everyone around him and lived a life without guile. He was a rare gift of a human being, and I'm so pleased that I was able to work with him for so many years.
Sharalyn Howcroft
May 09, 2024 | Pleasant Grove, UT | Coworker
I'm so grateful to have known Nathan. So kind and gentle - a pure soul. I never saw him without a smile, and passing him in the hall or chatting with him at my desk automatically increased the sunshine in my life. I am definitely richer for his friendship.
Kiersten Olson
May 09, 2024 | Spanish Fork, UT | Coworker
