Obituary of Dan S. Nielsen

Dan Sommers Nielsen (88) beloved father and grandfather returned to his Heavenly Father on Sunday, Janua ry 20, 2013 at St. Luke's Memorial Hospital. Dan was born in Devil's Slide, Utah on January 31, 1924 to Charle s Willard and Elizabeth Francis Nielsen. He was the youngest of six children. He attended school in the tiny community of Devil's slide, and later graduated from Morgan High School in Morgan, Utah. He was active in sports and was an extremely talented baseball player. He played first base for the Utah Cementers, a semi-professional baseball team . Right out of high school he was drafted by the New York Yankees, but he chose to serve his country in the United States Army. Dan trained as an aircraft mechanic in Ogden, Utah. For a period of time he was stationed in Florida and served in England. He was recognized for his honorable service. After the war Dan returned to pursue his education at Utah State University. He was involved in baseball, basketball, and fraternity clubs. It was there that his met his wife Willa Dean Clark. He pursued her by consistently sending her an unusual amount of flowers which later she discovered that he was working at a flower shop. After their three year courtship, they were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on September 14, 1949. They both graduated from Utah State and moved to Helena, Montana and he began working for Firestone. After a hard winter and hating the extremely cold temperatures, they transferred to Twin Falls, Idaho where it was MUCH WARMER. While living in Twin he decided to become a teacher. He was hired at Twin Falls High School and taught Algebra and Geometry for over 30 years. Together with his wife Willa Dean, who was a dance major, they opened up Nielsen Schoo l of Dance in Twin Falls which is still going strong. Dan and Willa Dean had four children: two sons, Kim and Trent and two daughters Teresa and Pam. Sadly Teresa was taken from this life at three days old due to complications at birth and their adopted daughter Pam was taken in a tragic motorcycle accident at the age of fifteen. Dan was a valiant member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served as an early morning seminary teacher for many years. He was also a gospel doctrine teacher, regional and area co­ dance directors with his wife, and he served in the 6th WardBishopric. Dan loved to hunt, fish, garden, and decorate his house for Christmas for the whole town to enjoy . He won many awards for his efforts. He loved to sing and was a member of the Barbershop Magichords. He devoted much of his s pare time to help Willa Dean with dance recitals, performances, competions etc. Because of his love of sports, he would always find time to attend his kids and grandkids games. Though known as a quiet, mild mannered ma n, he was not shy when it ca me to voicing his opinion to referees. Dan and Willa Dean loved to travel, host parties and spend time with friends and family at the cabins. Dad was a quiet, gentle, spiritual man with a contagious laugh. He had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and always talked of his concern for his family living righteous lives. He was greeted by many loved ones on the other side who have been waiting for his arrival. We know he is happy. Dan is preceded in death by his wife Willa Dean, his parents, three brothers and two sisters; two daughters, Teresa and Pam Nielsen. He is survived by his two sons Kim (Pam) Nielsen and Trent Nielsen of Twin Falls; two grandsons, Brandon (Aubrey) Nielsen of Fullerton, California, Blake (Ciera) Nielsen of Twin Falls; two granddaughters, Jamie John (Jarom)of Meade, Colorado and Jazlyn Nielsen of Twin Falls; 9 great grandchildren and two on the way. Visitation for Dan will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday January 24th at Rosenau's Funeral Chapel located at 2826 Addison Ave. East in Twin Falls. A funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday January 25th at the Harrison Street West LDS Stake Center, 667 Harrison Street across from the Harrison Elementary School. A 2nd viewing for family and friends will be held prior to the funeral at 12:00 noon. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.