Dean Frank Neilson

DEAN NEILSON Dean Frank Neilson died Saturday morning, Nov. 6, 2010 in Orem, Utah of Hodgkin's Lymphoma. His wife, Kathy, was at his side, as she had been for the previous year as the lymphoma ravaged his body. Dean was born Jan 2, 1948 in Oakley, Idaho to Frank Hyrum and Alice Maughan Neilson. He was the oldest of seven children. He completed his elementary education in Blackfoot, Idaho before moving to Laramie, Wyoming, where his father attended graduate school at the University of Wyoming for a year. Following that schooling in 1962 the family moved to Cokeville and Dean lived there until he graduated from high school in 1966. He served an LDS mission in California, and upon his return enrolled at BYU. He married Leatha Sproul; they later divorced. On Valentine's Day 2003, Dean married Kathleen Jane Foley. They made their home in Orem, Utah. An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dean loved music and often sang in the ward choir. He enjoyed serving as the ward music chairman. He spent many hours reading and discussing gospel topics. Shortly, before his diagnosis with cancer, he began working as a family history consultant, a job he enjoyed very much as he became a acquainted with his family tree. Dean is survived by his wife Kathy; daughters: Amy (Brian) Grussendorf, Casper, Wyoming; Angela Fletcher, Redlands, Calif.; Sara (Jeremy) Ball, Idaho Falls, Idaho; sons Michael (Katie) Neilson, Spanish Fork, Utah; Aaron, Orem, Utah; his mother Alice Neilson, West Jordan, Utah; sisters: Margene (John) Assel, West Jordan, Utah; Norma (Nick) King, Liberty, Missouri; Irene (Reese) Jeppsen, Afton; brothers: Dale (Brenda) Neilson, Salt Lake City; David (Rhonda) Neilson, Tigard, Oregon; Paul Neilson, Brigham City, Utah; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father and one granddaughter. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Nov 9, 2010 at 11 a.m. in the Geneva Heights 6th Ward (590 N. 900 West), Orem, Utah with visitation from 9:30-10:30. Burial in the Orem Cemetery.