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Swen Nielsen
1935 - 2025
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Swen Nielsen Obituary
Former Provo City Chief of Police Swen C. Nielsen Dies at 90
Provo, UT - Swen C. Nielsen
1935–2025
Swen C. Nielsen passed away on November 17, 2025, at his home in Provo, Utah. He was born March 16, 1935, in Ålborg, Denmark, to Anna Katrine Olesen and Arnold Claudi Nielsen. At age fourteen he immigrated to the United States with his family and settled in Provo.
Swen graduated from Provo High, then served in the U.S. Army as a Paratrooper with the 11th Airborne Division, becoming a proud U.S. citizen while in the service. In 1956 he married Shirlene Jones in the Salt Lake Temple, and together they raised four children: Richard, Bradley, Eric, and Claudia.
He earned degrees from BYU and later from Los Angeles State College while working full time with the LAPD. Swen returned to Utah and served as Chief of the BYU Police before becoming Chief of Police for Provo City, a role he held for more than twenty years. He also taught criminal justice courses for three decades and lectured nationally on police administration. His service included appointments to the Utah House of Representatives and the State Youth Parole Authority.
A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Swen served in many callings, including bishop, and later served a mission in the Stockholm Sweden Temple with Shirlene. After Shirlene's passing in 2007, he married Hanne' Raunholt Halladay in 2009, and they made their home in Provo until her passing in 2024.
Swen loved the outdoors, spending time in the mountains, fishing at Deer Creek Reservoir, and planting hundreds of flowers each spring. His life was marked by service to his family, faith, community, and country. He especially loved Provo and its people.
Swen had 4 children: Richard (Anne), Bradley (Bonny), Eric, in loving memory (Phyllis), and Claudia (Derrill). He also has 16 Grandchildren and 31 Great-Grandchildren + 2 on the way. What a legacy!
Funeral Information:
Viewing:
Date: November 20, 2025
Time: 6:00-8:00 PM
Location: Berg's Mortuary 185 E. Center Street, Provo
Funeral:
Date: November 21, 2025
Time: 11:00AM Service, 10:00AM Viewing
Location: Chapel at 2900 Timpview Drive (650 East), Provo
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memorial Events
for Swen Nielsen
Nov
20
Nov
21
Funeral services provided by:
Berg Mortuary of Provo185 East Center Street P.O. Box 1468, Provo, UT 84606
Memories and Condolences
for Swen Nielsen
Sponsored by Berg Mortuary of Provo.
2 Entries
Janice Fortie
November 20, 2025
Dear Nielsen Family, I loved working as Capt Nielsen´s secretary after he was hired for the BYU Campus Police position in the early 60´s. He was a kind, thoughtful and wonderfulman to work for. Sending warm thoughts and condolences to you all. May you all be comforted during this tender time.
Carol Barker
November 20, 2025
I had the privilege of interacting with Chief Swenson on several occasions over the years. Always a kind and gracious man with a great smile.
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