9/30/1973 ~ 6/12/2022
Kellie Kehaulani Nielsen was born to Gerald and Karen Sue Nielsen in Provo, Utah on Sunday, September 30, 1973. She passed on Sunday, June 12, 2022, following her courageous struggle with cancer. She was a beacon of goodness and a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Kellie was raised in Roosevelt, Utah during her preschool years. The family was then transferred to Richfield, Utah where she received her elementary, middle school and high school education from the finest and most dedicated teachers. She found great joy in expressing herself through music, as an exceptional piano player, and dance, being involved with the annual Nutcracker Production and high school dance team. She graduated from Richfield High School in 1992 prior to her family moving to Kennewick, Washington. Feeling quite homesick for her family, she left her scholarship and SUU and moved to Washington where she graduated from Columbia Basin College with an Associates Degree. She completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree at Brigham Young University majoring in Communications and English. Kellie achieved her goal to become an attorney and received her Juris Doctorate at Gonzaga University. She has always been a self-starter with an impeccable work ethic that led her to numerous jobs during her growing up years in Richfield. As a legal assistant to Bill Hames at Hames, Anderson, and Whitlow, Kennewick, WA, she was involved with bankruptcy law which provided her direction in her legal career. While a law student, she was chief editor of the publication, “Utah Auto Law: Utah Law of Motor Vehicle Insurance and Accident Liability, Treatise” published by LexisNexis. She grew professionally as a Senior Staff Attorney for Utah’s Chapter 13 Federal Court. She was a champion for good and believed in honesty in all of her dealings during her law career. She is the second oldest of eight children and loved being a member of such a united band of loving individuals who never cease to remember one another. She was always ready to accompany a family sing-along, could often be heard sharing her quick wit with her siblings, was a lover of desserts and baking (her monster cookies being the family favorite), and was ready to adopt several of her nieces and nephews without their parents’ permission. She was fondly referred to as Aunty Boom and will be remembered for her fierce loyalty and love of those blessed to be close to her. Her family helped her feel complete and whole through their bounteous love and charitable service especially during her final days. During these difficult months, they all united with fervent faith, hope, and an eye single to God’s glory and plan for her. Kellie is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Lehi 19th Ward, Lehi Utah East Stake. She has served in various capacities in numerous wards. She was the ward organist at age 15 in the Richfield, Utah 1st Ward. As a young adult, she served a mission in the Seoul, Korea Mission 1995-1997 which strengthened her testimony of service among God’s children. She loved serving in the Primary organization as the Primary pianist. The children
brought her so much joy as they reciprocally shared their testimony through music. Kellie is survived by her parents: Gerald and Karen Sue Nielsen; siblings and spouses, Jared and Michelle Nielsen; Brandon and Jalene Nielsen; Kemy (Nielsen) and Christopher Bates; Katie (Nielsen) and Trent Teegarden; Warner and Janey Nielsen; Karalee (Nielsen) and Adam Eatros; and Michael and Christie Nielsen. Nieces and Nephews: Jaxen and Maile; Audrey, Ella, Calvin, Roxy, and Britney; Coen; Lily, Lucy, and Charley; Ezra, Griffen, and Adele; Hudson, Presley, and Jameson; and Jonas, Sonny, and Hattie. Preceded and greeted in death by her paternal grandparents, Earl and Dorothy Nielsen and her maternal grandfather, Charles K. Lee. Grandmother Edith L. Lee at 97, resides in Tacoma, Washington. Kellie is our precious ministering angel and we are assured that she has and is experiencing rest as described in Enos 1:27, “And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me; Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father. Amen.”
Funeral Services: Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 6:00 P.M. in the Lehi, Utah, 19th Ward, Lehi Utah East Stake 150 East 1500 North
Lehi, UT 84043-3484. Reception to follow funeral services at 7:00 P.M. same location. Interment: Friday, June 24, 2022 Moroni Cemetery 10:30 A.M. Family and Friends Gathering , Moroni, Utah 11:00 A.M. Dedication of Grave.
The Recorded services will be available for 60 days from 6/23/2022
Click Here to Watch Recorded Funeral Service.
Click Here to Watch Recorded Graveside Service.
Click Here to Watch Funeral Services through the Lehi East Stake’s Website.
Jerry, Karen Sue and Family, I am so very sorry for your loss of a very precious daughter. I express my sincere sympathy and condolences to all of you. May you receive peace and comfort at this time of the passing of Kellie. So grateful for the knowledge of being together as families when we go beyond this mortal life. It is an honor to know you Jerry and Karen Sue. Mike
I always loved her beautiful, genuine and easy smile! She was one of the sweetest young ladies I have ever met. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to have known her and watched her grow up.
Your love and beautiful smiles helped so many to see the light of Christ that radiates from all. May God bless the Nielsen family for touching and lifting so many in Richfield. Enos 1:27 is Perfect.
Dear jerry and Karen sue
Love your family so much and am saddened to hear of the loss of a beautiful dghtr and yet heavens gain of a beautiful spirit. So thankful for great souls like your family has. Love from our family to yours. Rich and polly Luekenga
So sorry for the loss of your precious daughter. She sounds like a wonderful daughter of God. May you find peace and comfort. God bless all of your family.
Jerry and Karen, Lorraine just let me know of the passing of Kellie. Though I never knew her, she seems like a beautiful young lady. Just want you to know of my sympathy for your family. I am so very sorry. Thank goodness for the plan of salvation. We know where she is and that we will see her again. May you be blessed with peace and comfort at this time. Love you guys. Edith
Dear Gearld and Karen Sue,
I was so saddened to hear of your families loss of your Sweet Daughter. I still remember what a Beautiful Young Girl she was when you lived in Richfield. Sending you and your family our love, thought and prayers.
Gena, JaLee and Sara Nielson
So sorry to hear of your loss to a beautiful daughter. Our daughter Janette was in her class. We remember what a smart girl she was and very talented in music. Take comfort in knowing that those we love will be reunited in eternity.
So sad. What a great individual who cared & respected others. Gracious & wonderfully nice to others from all walks. The world is a dimmer place with her gone but I’m sure Kellie is shining her light somewhere else.
I am so sorry for the loss of Kellie to her family and friends. I hired Kellie as my legal assistant when she was19 years old. She was very bright, multi-talented, very mature, hard working, and an extremely nice young lady. I soon knew she was so talented and driven that she wasn’t going to stay with our law firm for very long. While working full time she started taking night classes at CBC, our local community college. She then enrolled and graduated from BYU. She then enrolled and graduated from Gonzaga Law school in Spokane WA. While in Law School she clerked at Ian Ledlin’s firm working on commercial Bankruptcies.
We were so impressed with Kellie, after she left us we hired her younger sisters Katie and Karalee as they got old enough to work. The Nielsen’s were all very impressive human beings. We knew we couldn’t go wrong hiring a Nielsen girl.
I can’t believe Kellie is gone. She passed way to young. She had a lot left to give the world.
How interesting! I went to view my mother’s obituary and see one for your daughter, and I say to myself, “I know the Nielsens!”
I’m so sorry to learn that your daughter is no longer here, but happy that she has advanced in her eternal progression, and is surely with her family and loved ones. I am so sorry for your pain and sadness, and hope you feel the comforting presence of the Spirit! I love you, dear friends, and mourn with you.
Dear Karen, Gerald, and Ohana:
E Aloha Kekahi i Kekahi (Love One Another). Kellie was blessed by your love for one another.
Aloha,
Lynn and Mike
A friend who gave me more memories than i can count… Who didn’t at some point have a crush on Kellie Nielsen? Man, she was a Superstar among our peers!!! She was my first crush in Mrs. Toone’s third grade class! 😉 She was beautiful, smart, witty, fun and kind…and she was my friend. She challenged me, i think sometimes she found me annoying but most of our years growing up we were just friends. I will always remember playing the ultimate class nerd (Les Moore) in our 8th grade play, Funky Winkerbean, opposite Kellie, the most popular girl in the school who he was helplessly and hopelessly in love with! Kellie, i will never forget you. Thank you for being a part of my life which makes me smile.
Kellie was amazing! I served with her in Korea.This breaks my heart.Im grateful for all the awesome memories I have of her.
This is tragic 🙁 I was Kellie’s district leader during the last part of her mission in Seoul. She was an incredible missionary — so cheerful, energetic, hard-working, and full of light. She had a sense of humor and a way of teasing all the other missionaries that kept us all on our toes. She was a great mentor to her “greenie” companion. I have a lot of great memories of serving with her, including of a spontaneous interpretive dance performance of one of the songs from The Lion King which she roped a few missionaries into doing at our district meeting one week, to raise morale, at a time when we were all going through a lot… It really boosted our spirits.
I lost touch with Kellie a long time ago, unfortunately (we all served before social media). I would love to connect with a family member to hear more about her recent years. Please email me: luke (dot) hutch (at) gmail (dot) com.
Dear Gerald and Karen Sue,
I had the privilege of serving with Kellie in Korea for 9 months. I’m so grateful for fond memories! She taught me how to plant flowers. (She said it was “therapy” from her mom). She cooked me a “scrawny chicken” when I was sick! We laughed about twisted laundry and ate chocolate after every spicy meal! I am so sorry for your loss! She is definitely one of God’s warriors! Prayers for your family! I love Kellie!
Lots of love ❤️
Elaina Duke (Sister Spilker in Korea)
So sorry to hear this about Kellie. She and her family were great friends growing up in Richfield. My condolences to the Nielsen family.
Kellie has been an incredible example to me. She brightened any room with her beautiful smile. My life is enriched and better for having known her. She will be missed here on earth. Sending my deepest sympathy for all of her family. She will forever have a special place in my heart. Much love. Mindy
I was so saddened to hear of Kellie’s passing. She was a wonderful classmate and friend whose smile and laughter were infectious. My condolences to her family.
Kellie has always been extraordinary and kind to all she came in contact with. I’ll never forget her and her family’s genuine kindness towards me in the years that I knew her. My heart goes out to the Nielsen family and friends. And may flights of angels sing her to her rest.
This is sad news, sending deep condolences to family and friends. I got to know Kellie while she attorney for chapter thirteen trustee, while working with Kellie , she was supportive at work with my legal work questions and also as a friend ,I remember and cherish our talks and laughs.
Rest In Peace
To know Kellie Nielsen, even for a moment or for a year or for a life, is to experience the vibrance, charm, tenacity, and wit of a wonderful human being. She knew how to make a person smile, she knew how to make a person live to higher expectations, she lifted and enlivened the people that she loved, and she never let anyone sink below who they are. The Nielsen family and all who knew her as a friend or colleague, has lost a bright soul. But she lives on not only in the loveliness of her memory but also in the way she pushed us all to be better. May your dear heart Rest In Peace … and thrive onward in tireless energy and creativity.
I was so very sad to hear this news. I also served with Kellie in Korea, and we were friends for some time afterward until we lost touch. We also ended up in the same major and several classes at BYU, as we both contemplated law school. She was a great missionary and friend. She had such a sharp mind, quick wit and great sense of humor. She was an amazing person, and I can only imagine the example of strength and courage she showed in her battle with cancer. My heart goes out to the Nielsen family, and I pray you will receive blessings of peace and comfort.
My heart breaks to hear of Kellie’s passing. I pray for her family to feel peace and comfort at this time.
I had the privilege to be in a Primary Presidency with Kellie. She was a true friend and I will always cherish those memories. Kellie inspired everyone around her. I looked up to her and still do.
Kellie was also my visiting teacher(ministering sister). She babysat my kids, and when I had my third she planned meals for a two full weeks for my family! She went above and beyond. I love her. I will always be grateful for her service and Christ like example.
I am so sorry for your loss.