Francis J. Nielson


December 22, 1939 ~ March 9, 2013
Francis Joseph Nielson died March 9, 2013 of natural causes at his home in Salt Lake City, UT.
Born December 22, 1939 in Moab, UT, Nielson was raised in Blanding where he attended San Juan High School. He was an accomplished scholar and athlete, named Valedictorian of the class of 1958, and voted one of the top 500 high school basketball players in the nation.
He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the North German Mission, completed an undergraduate degree at BYU and received a law degree from the University of Utah.
He married Jeanne Hamilton in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple on August 28, 1964. They were later divorced.
He is survived by two siblings; Virginia Nielson Black and Robert James Nielson, both of Salt Lake City. He is also survived by four children, Heli, Jared, Valeri and Jean; and five grandchildren, Colin Joseph Mang, Devin Francis Nielson, Riley Nicole Mang, Marina Jo Nielson and Mackenzie Mae Craigle.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Leroy Nielson and Marian Gardner Nielsonp; and four siblings, Rhoda Jane Ashley, Barbara Nielson Ballif, Preston Gardner Nielson and John Howard Nielson.
Burial and a graveside service was conducted at the Blanding City Cemetery on Saturday, March 16. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the SJ Quinney College of Law Building Justice Campaign. http://www.buildingjustice.law.utah.edu