Cyrus Otto Nielsen Jr.

1923-2013

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother passed peacefully away the morning of December 22, 2013 surrounded by family members at his side at his "young" age of 90 years. Cy was born in Ephraim, Utah to Cyrus Otto Nielsen and Alta Michaelsen Nielsen. The family moved to Salt Lake when he was 14, where he attended Bryant Jr. High and West High School. After a year at the University of Utah and the onset of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Cy was enlisted to fight in World War II. He attended the Naval Aviation Program, which included training at the California Polytechnic Institute, Santa Rosa Jr. College, and St. Mary's College in California and then Corpus Christi, Texas. Eventually, he was attached to the 2nd Marine Air wing on Okinawa.

After four years of service, Cy returned to the University of Utah to graduate with a degree in Geology. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He met Neva Thomas in Ogden and later they were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on June 15, 1951. Four children were born - Mark Thomas (Brenda), Amy (Richard Hogan), Lori (Paul Driggs), and Eric Michael (Robyn), 21 grandchildren, 16 great-children (two on the way), and Debbie Nielsen (a daughter-in-law).

Cy loved The Lord and the gospel teachings. He served in many callings but it was always his involvement with the youth programs, serving 12 years as a Scoutmaster that was his joy. He served as High Priest leader and teacher and loved that assignment. Cy was a carpenter and general contractor by trade and built many homes in the valley. He loved flowers and planting them. At age 82 he retired and took up oil painting, with the help of a great teacher who became a devoted friend. He painted pictures of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, along with many other scenic paintings. Most of all, Cy was a great husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved each of them dearly and they loved him back. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brothers (Kenneth and Phillip), and sister (Wanda LeCheminant).

The family would like to thank Brighton Hospice for their tender care of Cy these past two and one-half months - especially the two we call his "Angels" - Dani and Debbie. There will be a viewing on Saturday, January 4th, from 9:30 to 11:30, with the funeral at 12:00 Noon. In lieu of flowers, we ask you to donate to a charity of your choice or just go out for a steak dinner and think of Cy.

Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery.