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Joyce Eileen (Brown) Henderson, 70, of Mesa Arizona passed away peacefully on Friday, June 8, 2018, at home with her loving husband of 52 years by her side. Joyce was born on July 29, 1947 in Seaside, Oregon to her parents, Leo and Frances (Witte) Brown. She moved to Craig, Colorado when she was 16 years old where she met and eventually married her high school sweetheart, Gerald Henderson, on July 31, 1966. They moved to Arizona shortly after where they have resided for the past 49 years.

Joyce’s deepest desire in life was to be a mother to a large family. Her greatest joy was her family. She was a nurturing mother to 13 children and a beloved Grandma to 51 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She loved the gospel of Jesus Christ and was a devoted disciple of the Savior. Joyce was a noble and gracious woman. She was loving, patient and a friend to all. She always did her best to see the good in everyone. Her loss is felt deeply and she will be tremendously missed by many.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Gerald; her children, David (Melanie), Tracy Pezzi-Lewis (Michael), Ken (Linda), Brad (Elizabeth), Tiffany Anderson (Carter), Sabrina Wall (Thomas), Jared (Dianna), Summer Gardner (Trevor), Mandy Lunt (Andrew), Tyler (Leandra), Bryce (Becca), and Ashley; her siblings, Leo Brown (Nancy), Denny Brown, Jan Gates, Doug Brown (Darlene), Jill Storey, and Lindsay Brown.

She is preceded in death by her beloved son, Matthew; her parents; and her siblings, Howard Brown and Julie White.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2018, at 10:00am, with a visitation from 9:00-9:45am, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hermosa Groves Ward, 2549 N 32nd St, Mesa, AZ 85213.

Dennis William Fleagle, 59, of Mesa, Arizona, passed on peacefully at home on May 27,2018.

Dennis was born November, 22, 1958 in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.  To Richard and Marydel Fleagle, graduated Mesa High School 1977 in Arizona where he grew up and lived most of his life.  Dennis was predeceased by his Mother, Marydel Fleagle.

Dennis is survived by: his father, Richard Fleagle, brothers, Duane and Alan.

There was a viewing for Dennis for family and friends on May 31, 2018.  An Urn of Walnut made by Duane and Jake Fleagle will be kept by the family until a service his held, yet to be determined.  A memorial marker made of cnc metal was also hand made by Dallas Fleagle.

Expressions of sympathy may be posted at Bunkerfuneral.com, University Chapel, 3529 East University Drive, Mesa, AZ, 85213, (480) 830-4105, e-mail, university@bunkerfuneral.com.  Alan Fleagle on Facebook.  For more info contact: Duane Fleagle, fleagle123@msn.com, or call, text, e-mail Alan Fleagle, alanmail7@gmail.com, 480-332-5500.

Dennis lived a life of giving and kindness.  Lived and worked for Fleagle Plumbing for many years and was like a second Dad to his Nephews, taking many hunting and fishing trips together.  Dennis shared his vast knowledge of auto mechanics and welding with the boys as well.  Dennis was a heavy line mechanic, licensed Jouneyman plumber, welder, pipe fitter, worked on hydraulics, marine motors.  From a lawn mower to an 18 wheeler, Dennis could do it.

Dennis was an Eagle scout.

He was a devoted son, brother and uncle, always ready to help out someone in need.  It was commonly said about Dennis, “he has a big heart”.  Dennis’s laugh was also unique, we called it a “cackle”, but anyone who ever heard it, new it was all Dennis.

Free from the evil’s of this world, I pray that Dennis rests with God’s peace and light for all eternity.  Goodbye Denny (uncle Dan), from all of us who’s lives you’ve touched.  Amen. 

Robert Harding McCabe, 70, of Gilbert, AZ passed away peacefully on June 6, 2018 in Mesa, AZ. He is survived by his loving wife, Arlene; his children, Kiresten and Garrett Harrison, Michael McCabe, Matthew and Dustie McCabe, Natalie and Jason White, and James and Alexis McCabe; and his five brothers and three sisters. Robert is also survived by his 13 grandchildren, who loved their PaPa very much.

Robert was a righteous and loving man, with a quirky sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends. He has “Returned With Honor,” to his Heavenly Father.

A viewing for Robert will be held Friday, June 15, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. There will also be a viewing at 9:00am on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at the LDS Gilbert Stake Center, 777 E Elliot Rd, Gilbert, AZ, followed by his funeral service at 10:00am. Services will then conclude at City of Mesa Cemetery at 12:00pm.

Rev. Allan Monson, 71 of Mesa, AZ, died Saturday, June 9,  2018 in Phoenix, AZ. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, June 13^th at 10am at Calvary Free Lutheran, Mesa, AZ.  Visitation will be held at Korsmo Funeral Services, Moorhead, MN, Friday, June 15, 4-7pm. A Funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2018, 11 AM, at Maranatha Free Lutheran Church, Glyndon, MN.

Pastor Monson, formerly of Perley, MN served congregations in Sacred Heart, Kenyon, St. Cloud and Lakeville, MN, and Tioga and Dickinson, ND, and Mesa, AZ. 

Survivors include wife, Connie, Mesa; children, Kirsten (Kenneth) Nelson, Allison (Lee) Lofton, Nathan (Cheryl) Monson and Erin (Royal) Harris; sister, Mary Jane (Gilberto) Vasconez; 8 grandchildren; and 2 nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Luther and Adeline (Mjoslness) Monson.

Memorials may be sent to the Desert Manna Food Pantry, one of Pastor Al’s passions, and a ministry of his Arizona congregation.

Desert Manna Food Pantry

c/o Calvary Free Lutheran Church

590 North 96^th Street

Mesa, AZ 85207

Online guestbook: www.korsmofuneralservice.com. 

John Edgar Davis, 80, of Mesa, Arizona passed away at his home on June 8, 2018.  Born on May 8, 1938, in Jerome Arizona to Joseph and Alice Davis, he grew up in Prescott, Arizona.  John attended the U of A and ASU where he met his college sweetheart Diana Jo Briscoe.  Married in the LDS Mesa Temple, Diana and John have been happily married for 56 years.

John served in the Army Reserve, was co-owner of Canyon State Awning and owner of Davis Carpet and Tile.  He was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and enjoyed serving in many church assignments, scouts and lovingly served everyone around him.

Left to carry on his traditions are his children; Rhonda (Greg) Waite, Brenda (Kimball) Palmer, Carol (Gary) Porter, Jim (Wendy) Davis and John (Monica) Davis.  His legacy will be continued through his 28 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.  John is also survived by his siblings; Marvin (Wanda) Davis, Norman (Kris) Davis and Carolyn (Lloyd) Payne.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at the Mesa East Stake Center, 2228 E. Brown Rd., Mesa, Arizona.  A visitation will also be held Wednesday, June 13, 2018 from 6 to 7:30 PM at Bunkers Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LDS Missionary Fund.

Wanda Joyce Daniels, born June 14, 1960 in Phoenix, Arizona, passed away on June 7, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. She was the daughter to Etha Mae Daniels. Wanda attended Chandler High School and remained in Arizona for the duration of her life. She went on to raise three children, Banita, Tyrus, and Dwight (deceased), in addition to her daughter-in-law, Tanayia. Wanda was a loving grandmother to her grandchildren; Tayejion, Kordelle, Zaaliyah, Zion (deceased), and Kaylahni (due November 2018).

Wanda leaves to cherish in her memory, her brother, Grover Daniels; sister, Sheryl Daniels; nephew, Nicholas Riley; as well as a host of family and friends.

Jeannette Fay Peterson Davis, age 79, passed away at her home on June 7, 2018.  She patiently endured many health problems starting with a liver transplant, several years of kidney disease, and a fall in March 2018.

Jeannette was born June 3, 1939 in Wiota, Wisconsin to Sanford and Mary (Shelton) Peterson. Her mother said she loved to feed the chickens, loved animals and that her childhood nickname was “Little Sunshine,” because she was a smiling, happy child. Her father said she and Evonne liked to climb trees. She also played clarinet in the school band.

She worked as a beautician before she married Ray E Davis on September 27, 1959 at the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua, Iowa. They settled in Hinckley, Illinois and Jeannette began her favorite occupation Mother of four and Homemaker. In 1971 the family moved to Mesa, Arizona. As her children grew she worked outside the home at Gilson Uniforms, Walgreens, and American Greetings. In November of 1989 Ray and Jeannette moved to Payson, Az.  In September 1996 she moved back to Wisconsin with Ray and Mike to be by her ailing mother. Ray passed away December 1996, and her mother passed away in 1999. She also worked for a time at Shopko and Swiss Colony in Wisconsin. Her father passed away in 2012 and she returned to Arizona with Mike in July 2013.

Jeannette loved to garden and sit in the sunshine.  She enjoyed watching football, NASCAR racing, and cooking shows—especially the Pioneer Woman.

She is survived by her older sister Evonne (Jerry) Montefelt, her younger brother Larry (Carmen) Peterson, and her four children: Debora (Randy) Barney, David (Susan) Davis, Dale (Nancy) Davis, and Michael Davis. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Lisa, Steven, Jaclyn, Elena, Lauren, Laura, Thomas, Diane and Joshua; and four great-grandchildren: Cambria, Aiden, Maverick and Eli.

Her ashes will be buried next to Ray at Moores Cemetery in Juda, Wisconsin, where there will be a family and friends gathering-details yet to be determined.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy can be given to the family at www.bunkerfuneral.com

Jeffrey Harris Gullick, 29, of Mesa AZ passed away June 7, 2018 at Banner Desert Medical Center. Jeff was born August 8, 1988 in St. Louis Park, MN to parents Robert and Pamela (Holt) Gullick.

Jeff is survived by his parents, Bob and Pam; brothers, Dan (Elizabeth), Brian (Katie), and Steven (Tiffany); nieces, Eleanor, Clara, and Harper; grandmothers, Sally Gullick and Pat Holt; girlfriend, Angela Melton; as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by grandfathers, Ron Gullick and Norm Holt.

The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life open house on Friday, June 15, 2018 at Bob and Pam Gullick’s home, 3000 Perry Ave N, Golden Valley, MN 55422, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.

Christeen Nielsen Hall, age 94, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Sunday, June 3, 2018. She was born on August 23, 1923 in St. Johns, Arizona to Frederick and Mary Eliza Holgate Nielsen. She grew up on a ranch near St. Johns, along with her 13 siblings, Nellie Richey (Hugh), Mae Richey/Greenwood (Forrest/Hartley), Louie Merrill (Earl), Lizzy, Frederick (Lavora), Ole (Gwen/Olivia), E.Z. (Lula), Olive Shill (Victor), Lenore Suman (Harlin), Eva Shill (Ken), Nina, Roland (Charlene/Cheryl), and Duffy (Mary Jo/Louise).

Christeen met and married her sweetheart, Jerold John Hall, on February 23, 1944, and lived the remainder of her life in Mesa, Arizona. She was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she served in many capacities throughout her life. She was loved and will be greatly missed by her large family.

Christeen was preceded in death by her husband, Jerold J. Hall; son, Darwin Hall; her parents; and all of her siblings.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Terri Tate Hall and her daughters, Pam Councilman (Dave), Marsha Snow (Paul), and Jerrilyn Wilcken (John). She is also survived by 24 grandchildren, 95 great-grandchildren, 2 great great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at the Mesa North Stake Center, located at 933 E Brown Rd, Mesa, AZ at 10:00am, with a viewing prior to the service at 9:00am. There will also be a viewing on Tuesday, June 12, 2018, from 6:00-8:00pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ.

A wonderful family reunion was held on June 4, 2018, when LaNeta Owen Stout, 82, joined her eternal sweetheart, Mel G. Stout; an infant son, Melvin Gary; her parents; and other loved ones on the other side of the veil. Rejoicing in her release and graduation from mortality, but mourning their own bereavement, are her surviving siblings, Richard (Linda) Owen, Gloria (Russell) Robison, Eileen (Ron, deceased) Andersen, and Verl (Margo) Owen; her children, David (Carolyn) Stout, Suellen (Bob) Weiler, Dan (Cynthia) Stout, Rebecca (Dan) Cluff, Ann (Dan) Davis, and Jennifer (Brad) Stinocher; 45 grandchildren, and more than 80 great-grandchildren.

Born August 12, 1935 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Orson C. and Ruth Carlson Owen, LaNeta graduated from Granite High School, married her childhood sweetheart in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, then almost immediately sent him off and supported him in serving a two-year mission for the Church. In their 64 years of marriage, they reared their children, served in the LDS Church in various capacities in Salt Lake and Mesa, and served three Church missions together.

For many years, LaNeta composed a family newsletter to keep her widely-scattered posterity connected, always ending each edition with her signature exhortation: “Hold to the rod!” referring, of course, to the iron rod leading to the Tree of Life referenced in the Book of Mormon. Those who knew her appreciate her example in doing just that. Her growing posterity all rejoice in the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the eternal covenants which “help us hold on and let go…[,]sweeten, preserve, sanctify, [and] redeem.” LaNeta is missed already. In the childhood words of a beloved grandson: “Grama, [we] love you higher than Heavenly Father’s head!”

A celebration of LaNeta’s life will be held Monday, June 11, 2018 at the LDS meetinghouse at 2334 E. Pueblo in Mesa at 10:00am, preceded by a family visitation at 9:00am. Interment will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery.

We are deeply saddened by the unexpected loss of our beloved daughter, sister, mother and friend, Brittany Brooks Molina-Nikolaus at the young age of 30 years old. She left behind her two beautiful daughters, Ryleigh (age 11) and Bryton (age 9). Brittany had a heart of gold and she loved her children, her family, her friends and our Savior, Jesus Christ very much. Throughout her life, she inspired many through her love of dance, gymnastics and acting. She was so, very talented and excelled at anything she put her mind to. We love you Brittany and you will be sorely missed.

Lela Rowley was born August 17, 1928, to Jesse Noah Rowley and Martha Haws Rowley.  A resident of Mesa for most of her life, she grew up in a house on Olive Drive as one of the youngest children of a very large family.

Lela was always the adventurous type, and liked softball, gymnastics, and outdoor activities—interests she pursued well into adulthood. She graduated from Mesa High School and went on to meet Lester “Weston” Carpenter, whom she married on February 19, 1948, in the Mesa temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Weston and Lela welcomed six children into their home:  Sue, Janice, Robert, Mark, Cathy and Russell. The family was active in their church, and Lela held many different callings through the years.  Perhaps the family remembers best that she served as Primary President and Relief Society President while they were growing up.

Lela was creative, and loved beauty wherever she found it.  That was evidenced in a well-kept yard brimming with flowers, in the home she took pride in, in the clothing she made for her family.  She was an excellent cook; her pies were especially sought after!  But her talents went beyond the domestic.  She was an accomplished and prolific artist whose paintings now grace the walls of many children and grandchildren.  She left a great legacy to her family:  precepts shown by example, children and grandchildren taught skills that enrich their lives, love expressed in word and deed.

Weston passed away in 1993, and on April 8, ­­­­1995, Lela married Hal V. Abegg.  Hal was Lela’s companion and helper for 15 years, until his own passing in 2010.  His children loved Lela, and continued to express their affection and support long after their father’s passing.

Lela lived in Scottsdale for the last year and a half with her son Russ, his wife Lynn, and their children.  Her entire family is grateful for Russ and Lynn’s loving care during the last part of her life.

Lela is survived by children Sue Lucas (Ray), their two children and 6 grandchildren; Janice Seever (Bart), their six children and 26 grandchildren; Robert Carpenter (Renee), and their three children and 9 grandchildren; Mark Carpenter; Cathy Thompson (Kelly), their three children and 8 grandchildren, and Russ Carpenter (Lynn) and their six children. Lela will be deeply missed, but she will live on in the minds, hearts, and lives of those who love her.

David (Dave) Alan, 70, of Mesa, AZ passed away on June 2, 2018 at 9:47am. He was born in Huntington, IN on September 26, 1947 to Don and Kathleen Hesting. Dave graduated from Huntington Catholic High School in 1965. He was the middle child of 7 siblings.

Dave loved baseball. He coached in Indiana for 8 years and continued coaching for 10 years after moving to Arizona in 1982. He also played on a traveling team while living in Indiana and was the president of the Pony League Organization.

Dave was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings. He was a temple ordinance worker for 17 years in the Mesa, AZ temple.

Dave is preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Marilyn Weaver. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sheila Hesting; children, Kimberly Hesting, Kyle David Hesting, and Jeffrey Donald Hesting; three brothers, John Hesting of Gastonia, NC, Jerry, and Mark (Pam) Hesting of Huntington, IN; two sisters, Sharon Double (Lee) and Nancy Buzzard of Huntington, IN; brother-in-law, Ron (Diane) Earlywine of Show Low, AZ; and a sister-in-law, Donna Myers of Mesa, AZ.

Dave is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Lindsay Diaz, Billy Diaz, Markus Shepherd, Devyn Shepherd, and Kalli Shepherd; 1 great-grandson, Greyson Richards; and many special nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at the LDS Mesa Salt River Stake Center, 6942 East Brown Road, Mesa, Arizona 85207, on Friday, June 8, 2018 at 10:00am. A visitation will be held the evening before the service on Thursday, June 7, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201.

Noreen Maryan passed away in Gilbert, Arizona on June 5, 2018. She will be laid to rest at the City of Mesa Cemetery on Friday, June 6, 2018 at 2:00 PM.

Dean Condie Jensen passed away June 3, 2018 at the Banner Heart Hospital in Mesa, Arizona, at the age of 71, with his wife and children by his side. Born in Boise, ID, Dean was the third son of Weldon Tolman Jensen and Roma Condie. He graduated from Rancho High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, and served in the Northern Indian LDS mission based in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Dean married Margaret Jean Hoopes, of Thatcher, Arizona, in the LDS Mesa Temple in 1967. They are the parents of seven children – all raised in Mesa and all married: Aliesa (Craig), Greg (Tracy), Steven (Sally), Spencer (Alison), Sterling (Lindsay), Scott (Liza) and Burkley (Jenni).

Dean received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. As a general contractor in Arizona, Dean built residential homes in the 1970s, commercial buildings in the 1980s, a chain of 50s diners in the 1990s, and two Mexican restaurants in the early 2000s. Dean built all four of the permanent homes in which he and Jean raised their family: one in Las Vegas and three in Mesa.

Dean and Jean have centered their entire lives around family values and Christian service. Dean served as a bishop, mission president and in many other callings in the LDS Church. They have been blessed to acquire many friends in Arizona and around the world from their travels and missions. In 1988 Dean and Jean and their children were called by the LDS Church to serve for one year as work volunteers at the church-owned historical site of Adam-ondi-Ahman, in Missouri, where Dean’s assignments included the tree nursery. In 1991 Dean volunteered with the LDS Benson Institute, living with the family in Oaxaca, Mexico where the four youngest children attended Spanish-speaking schools for a year while Dean and Jean taught English. From 2003 to 2007 Dean and Jean served in the Indonesia Jakarta LDS mission – first as full-time missionaries and then as mission president. In the intervening nine years they have kept in close contact both with the hundreds of missionaries they trained and with whom they served, as well as with many of their Indonesian friends. For the past nine years, from 2009 through 2017, Dean served as a counselor in the Mesa Salt River LDS stake presidency. At the time of Dean’s passing he and Jean were preparing to serve another LDS mission, in Chile.

For nearly five decades Dean and Jean have been pillars in the East Valley community. Dean participated in local business and civic organizations, political campaigns and served for decades in many capacities in the Boy Scouts of America, earning its prestigious Silver Beaver award. His lifetime of selfless service included countless hours of doing manual labor, odd jobs and projects for his married children, and spending personal one-on-one time with his 28 grandchildren and one great-grandchild (born in 2018).

Dean lived life to the fullest with many interests and hobbies including participation in high school and college wrestling, Native American adoption programs, piloting planes, gardening, hiking, mountain biking, boating, skiing, birding, making pizzas, and building things – many things – from pinewood derby cars to campsite “furniture” to replicas of religious artifacts. The crown jewel of Dean’s craftsmanship was the family cabin he recently built (nearly single-handedly) on the Mogollon Rim, finishing it mere weeks before he passed away.

Besides his wife Jean and their seven married children, Dean is also survived by brothers Tom and Jon, and sisters Sally, Nancy and Kathy. He will be missed by his family and friends and the many lives he touched.

A viewing for family and friends will be held Friday, June 8, 2018 from 6-8 p.m. at the Bunker University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr. in Mesa. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 9 at 1:00 p.m., at the Mesa Arizona Salt River Stake Center, 6942 E. Brown Rd., Mesa. A brief graveside service will be held immediately following the funeral. Interment will be at the Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N. Center Street. Condolences may be sent to www.bunkerfuneral.com .

On June 3, 2018, Gary Kenneth Nielsen passed away from complications of frontotemporal dementia, surrounded by his family. Gary’s funeral services will be held on Friday, June 8, 2018, at the LDS Church building located at 1852 N. Stapley Dr., Mesa, Arizona 85203. The viewing will begin at 9:00 and services will begin at 10:00. All are welcome to attend. As this will be a celebration of life, please feel free to wear colors other than black.

Gary was born in Lander, Wyoming on October 19, 1953 to loving parents – Kenneth Orson Nielsen and Pauline “Joyce” Nissen Nielsen. When Gary spoke of his childhood, he’d often talk about hunting trips with his father and his mother’s amazing cooking. Gary was an athletic and ambitious boy who got good grades, led his high school basketball team to new heights, performed in the high school musical (and loved musicals thereafter) and obtained the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. As a young adult, Gary served a two-year mission for the LDS Church in Sao Paulo Brazil.

At the University of Wyoming, Gary met and married the love of his life, Christal Delrae Ririe. They were sealed together in the Idaho Falls Temple on December 28, 1976 and would remain true to one another for over 40 years. Gary loved Christal very much. Even after decades of marriage, he still referred to her as his “girlfriend” and loved kissing the top of her head. Gary and Christal had three baby boys in Wyoming – David, Joshua, and Jeremy – before Gary graduated with honors and a degree in electrical engineering, after which the family of five moved to Tucson where Gary started his career at IBM working as a QC engineer. In Tucson, the Nielsen family added three more children to the mix – Rachel, Benjamin, and Andrew – before moving to Gilbert Arizona, where Gary and Christal raised their children to adulthood.

For the majority of his career, Gary enjoyed much success while working as a field engineer at Hewlett Packard, where he received many awards and travelled to faraway places like Tokyo and Hawaii. Later in life, Gary reinvented himself professionally, starting and running, with great pride, his own financial services company, Spyglass Financial Group.

Gary was an active and strong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints his entire life. He served his church in various capacities, including in bishoprics and as a High Priest Group Leader. He was also a very dedicated home teacher. Gary was truly a Christian in word and deed that did his best to raise his family to follow Jesus. Gary also loved the Boy Scouts of America and served faithfully in that organization his entire life, eventually obtaining the esteemed award of Silver Beaver and helping thousands of boys to become honorable men. Gary loved camping and hiking in the great outdoors. Some of the best and most carefree times he ever spent were out in the wild, hiking in places like the Grand Canyon and the New Mexico wilderness at the Philmont Scout Ranch, and acting as course director for Woodbadge.

Gary was a good father who supported his kids in whatever they did and attended every event/concert/game/graduation that was possible to attend. Gary’s children were his pride and joy, and he could talk an ear off about their accomplishments, big or small. But Gary loved being a grandfather more than anything else in life. His legacy of support and attending events continued to toddler dance recitals, sports games, and concerts. It was the greatest and most important role he’d ever play. And his grandchildren loved him even more.

Our beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed too soon, but he left a profound mark on this world and in our hearts, where we will always keep and cherish his memory. Yes, Gary Kenneth Nielsen will be deeply missed by many, but we take true comfort in knowing that our loss is heaven’s gain and that Gary was a good and faithful servant who has earned his rightful place in his Father’s Kingdom.

Gary is survived by his wife (Christal Nielsen), by his children and their spouses, (David and Jenn Nielsen, Joshua and Juleen Nielsen, Jeremy and Barbara Nielsen, Rachel Nielsen, Benjamin and Krista Nielsen, Andrew and Carla Nielsen) by his sisters and their spouses (Debbie and Gary Anderson and Connie and Carlos Bassett), and, most importantly, by his grandchildren (Micah, Karlee, Jacob, Denver, Emma, Michael, Aaron, Kaylee, Anna, Sofia, Kylee, Taylor, Calin, Hailey, Madisyn, Rebecca, Emily, Olivia, Ethan, and Logan).