Tiffanie Rachelle Nielson

Tiffanie Rachelle Nielson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 11,1968 to Donna Lucile Decker and Gordon Stanley Nielson. The second of 3 girls, she grew up in Burley and Boise, Idaho. She attended Capital High School in Boise and graduated from Occidental College in Los Angeles where she majored in Kinesiology and was a trainer and an EMT in LA County. She was a member of Tri Delta, receiving a scholarship for her efforts in its activities. She also studied Exercise Science in a masters program at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and worked as a trainer for the rugby and dance teams. After her father passed away in 1998, she moved from Salt Lake City to Boise to take care of her mother. She worked as a data analyst at St. Alphonsus Hospital. Tiffanie joined her mother in Kansas City in 2006, and spent several years as a data analyst there until she was unable to work because of her health. She called Overland Park and Stilwell, Kansas, home for 16 years.

Tiffanie had a lifelong love of horses. While she was never able to fulfil her dream of becoming a jockey due to her height, she competed in English dressage for several years where she won many awards. She also loved cats, and was surrounded by them for most of her life. Growing up, she excelled in hula, tap and ballet. In high school she was passionate about marching band, starting band in the flute section, and ending where she belonged–in the drumline. She also participated in and taught tennis. She joined her dad performing in multiple musicals in Boise, and volunteered as a Philharmonic Deb.

Star Wars was one of her biggest passions as an adult, and she volunteered at the 501st Legion's charity events in Kansas City and Salt Lake City. After making her own Imperial officer's uniform, she also made costume pieces for others. Beyond her sewing skills, she was a talented crocheter, knitter and cross-stitcher, and gifted many stunning pieces she had created. Full of ideas and creativity, she was known for her Halloween costumes and artistic jack-o-lanterns that celebrated her favorite holiday. The theme to Haunted Mansion was often heard at her place.

Tiffanie was a member of Mensa, and had a mind that never quit. She could talk easily on a multitude of topics, and had a photographic memory that remembered everything. History and architecture were favorite subjects. She found solace playing the piano.

Tiffanie loved watching sports. She followed college football religiously, and became a Chiefs fan as well. In LA she loved the Dodgers and adopted the Royals with her move. The Olympics, the America's Cup and rugby also made the cut. The Nutcracker was her favorite ballet.

Beautiful, funny and intelligent, Tiffanie was the life of any party she attended. Loyal and loving, she could be friends with anyone, and would do anything for anyone. She sent memes and videos and jokes to her family and friends to uplift their days, and was a great listener. You could often find her behind a camera or phone lens recording fireworks, events and everything else. She was a loving aunt to her nieces and nephew, talking, playing board and video games, making pictures with facefilters, and being a part of their lives. More than once she said that they were the lights of her life.

Tiffanie suffered from multiple health problems, one which plagued her for almost 20 years. Stubborn, and a fighter, she overcame trials that seemed impossible. Even in the midst of pain, she tried to find the positive in all situations. She was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and had an unwavering testimony of Jesus Christ.

Tiffanie died peacefully on September 17, 2025 in Overland Park, Kansas. She is survived by her sisters Natalie Nielson-Riep (Steve Riep) and Caprice Stapley (Christopher); her nieces, Kiersten Stapley (Michael Jenkinson), Abigail Stapley, Analise Stapley, and Eliana Riep; and her nephew, Kendon Riep. She is preceded in death by her parents, Gordon Stanley Nielson and Donna Lucile Decker.

Tiffanie will be more than greatly missed by her family and friends. We find comfort in knowing she has been reunited in heaven with her parents and is free from physical pain and suffering.