Calvin Emil Neilsen

Calvin Emil Neilsen died peacefully on September 20, 2019 at the Laurel Groves care facility in Nephi, Utah at the age of 95. Calvin was born August 11, 1924 north of Mona on the family farm that his grandfather homesteaded in 1860. He was the sixth of nine children born to John Strong and Hazel Vest Neilsen, and the last surviving sibling. When Calvin was 2 years old his family moved into Mona to a yellow brick home on Main Street where he lived his entire life in the shadow of his beloved Mt. Nebo.

Calvin served in the U.S. Navy at the end of World War II. Afterwards he attended BYU where he met and married Sarah Colton on June 6, 1950 in the Salt Lake Temple. She was the love of his life for 69 years. He graduated with honors in 1951 and they made their home in Mona.

Calvin became a school teacher, working first in the Mona Elementary School then at Juab High where he helped thousands of students in his 31 years of service. He was active in his church, serving in ward, stake, and regional positions, and he loved his service in the Manti Temple. He also served in the community as Mona Precinct Chair, worked hard to develop irrigation systems, and enjoyed helping kids in 4-H. He loved people and went about quietly trying to improve his community. He was a very good husband and father. He did everything with diligence and accuracy. We will miss him!

He is survived by his wife Sarah, and 7 of their 8 children, Chris (Suzanne) of Mona, Helen (Darren) DuRall of West Valley City, John (Kelly) of Medford, Oregon, Mary (Carl) Furner of Mapleton, Marlaine (deceased at age 5), Amy of Mona, Paul (Jill) of Draper, and Emily (Shawn) Tripp of Taylorsville. Calvin and Sarah have 34 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.

There will be a viewing on Friday, Sept. 27th from 6-8 pm at the Anderson Funeral Home in Nephi, and from 9:30-10:30 am on Saturday, Sept. 28th prior to an 11 am funeral at the Mona 1st Ward building.