Kathleen Nielson

Kathleen Nielson passed away on June 16, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was born on November 7, 1947, in Provo, Utah to Clovis and Carol Hill. After Kathleen's father completed his university studies in Provo, the family lived briefly in Lehi, Utah. Soon thereafter, they moved their young family to Lemon Grove, (San Diego) California, when Kathleen was five years old, as her father pursued a new professional opportunity teaching English and journalism at Helix High School. The oldest of 4 children, Kathleen enjoyed a wonderful childhood in San Diego with loving parents, 2 brothers and a sister. Kathleen also cherished the summer trips as a child back to the Lunt Family farm in Duncan, Arizona and the opportunity to be surrounded by loving extended family. Kathleen also always spoke with fondness of the year the family spent living back East while her father Clovis was on a John Hay fellowship at Yale University. Kathleen thoroughly enjoyed her junior high and high school years in San Diego. She was active, social, and well regarded by her peers, and she developed many friendships that remained important to her throughout her life. She graduated from Mt. Miguel High School in 1965 before attending Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. After 2 years at BYU, Kathleen decided to leave school and work full-time for Sears in Salt Lake. She loved the job and her entire college/young adult period of her life. She made dear friends who remain to this day. While in Salt Lake, she met and fell in love with Mike Nielson. Mike soon found work in Los Angeles after graduating from the University of Utah. They married in the Los Angeles Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in October of 1970 and settled in Pasadena, California. Mike and Kathleen were blessed with 6 children – Kimberly, Scott, Matt, Danny, Andrew and Kristina. Kathleen loved being a mom and was an exceptionally capable homemaker. She and Mike enjoyed many friendships in Pasadena and were deeply involved in their LDS church community. Kathleen always loved the Rose Parade in Pasadena. Mike and the kids camped out along the parade route several times with Mom (and usually a young child) joining the group more comfortably in the morning for the parade. The family enjoyed many trips to Dodger Stadium and then later to Anaheim Stadium to watch the Angels after moving to Yorba Linda, California (Orange County) in 1986. In Yorba Linda, Kathleen continued to raise her kids and enjoyed many dear friendships and meaningful relationships for nearly three decades. Kathleen was relentless in her love and support of her kids – driving to numberless sports practices, down to Newport Beach, church activities, cub scouts and scout camps, musical events, hanging out with friends – just to name a few. She loved her family dearly and loved to spend time with them. Whether in San Diego as a youth, or LA and Orange County as an adult, Kathleen loved the beach. You could often find her there with her friends and/or children. Kathleen made friends everywhere she went and treasured those friendships. Although raising six children did not always leave time for some of life's finer pursuits, Kathleen possessed natural refinement. She appreciated the arts, particularly classical music and opera. Kathleen also had a deep sense of order, propriety, and gracious living—qualities instilled in her by her parents. At the same time, she loved gathering with family and friends, laughing, and enjoying life. The two-hour drive from LA to San Diego was made countless times to go see her folks and adult siblings and to let cousins spend time together running around in Grandma and Grandpa Hill’s back yard in Lemon Grove. Mike and Kathleen separated and ultimately divorced in 2002. They were able to remain united in their love and support of their children. Kathleen began to work part time as her kids got older. She worked in various office administration roles within the Placentia Yorba Linda Unified School District. After the divorce, Kathleen worked full time and was the head secretary at Wagner Elementary School in Placentia for twelve years. She again built lasting friendships and wonderful associations. So much so that this large group of friends met regularly for lunch for years, well beyond retirement, traveled and laughed together and were a wonderful source of happiness and friendship for Kathleen, right up to the very end. Kathleen served in many different capacities in her community and church. She always had a love and reverence for worship in the temple. She served as a volunteer at the Los Angeles Temple for a time, a role she found deeply meaningful and fulfilling. Kathleen was someone that others looked to because of her steadfast nature, reliability and ability to simply get things done. Those qualities were instrumental as she cared for family, friends, neighbors, and fellow church members throughout her life. She was always mindful of the needs of others. Most importantly, Kathleen was a loving mother and wonderful supporter of her children and grandchildren. She rarely missed important grandkid events, even as the family spread throughout the Western US. In addition, she saw to it that the entire family gathered every other year for a week-long family reunion, not surprisingly – most often near the beach! In 2013, Kathleen sold the family home in Yorba Linda and decided to get even closer to the cool ocean breeze. For the next 9 years, she rented a house right on the boardwalk in Seal Beach, California. She absolutely loved it! Many friends and family enjoyed wonderful visits with her there. During these years she also traveled extensively with many different friends and family members, often visiting LDS temples during those travels. Some of the highlights were a trip to Europe with girlfriends and another trip to Europe to visit her brother David and wife Dana in the Balkans and visiting her nephew Simon and family in Germany. During this period of her life, Kathleen endured one of her greatest trials - the passing of her son Danny. The sadness was profound, but she remained unshaken in her faith of her Savior, Jesus Christ, and of the promised resurrection. That faith in Christ guided her throughout her life. The Covid years led to a little bit of social isolation for Kathleen as some of her favorite social outlets were curtailed. Shortly thereafter, she began to experience some health challenges. Kathleen suffered a stroke and was diagnosed with vascular dementia. In 2022 she moved to Utah to be closer to family. She lived with her dear sister Dianne in Lehi and then decided to spend her remaining years at Legacy Village of Sugar House in Salt Lake. Though she struggled with dementia in her final years, she was well-known at Legacy and was loved by many for her friendly and sweet demeanor. Kathleen lived a fantastic life. She will be missed by all who knew her. We love you, Mom! Kathleen is survived by her brothers, Bradley Hill (Lupe) of La Mesa, California and David Hill (Dana) of Citrus Heights, California; her sister, Dianne James of Herriman, Utah; and her children: Kimberly Greenman (Chris) of Grand Junction, Colorado; Scott Nielson (Shellie) of Gilbert, Arizona; Matt Nielson (Tristan) of Holladay, Utah; Andrew Nielson (Holland) of Costa Mesa, California; and Kristina Taylor (Kendrick) of Millcreek, Utah. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, expected in October. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clovis and Carol Hill; her son, Daniel "Danny" Clovis Nielson; two nephews, Johnny James and Eric Hill; and her brother-in-law, Robert Nielson. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 27, at the chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1750 E. Spring Lane in Holladay, Utah. The service will begin at 11:00 a.m., with a viewing preceding the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. A celebration of life will also be held on Saturday, July 11th from 12:30-2:00 pm at the Marina Park Community Center located at 1600 W. Balboa Blvd in Newport Beach, California. Kathleen will be laid to rest near her son Danny in the Pacific Crest Cemetery in Redondo Beach, California. Her children would like to thank the many wonderful friends and family that have cherished and cared for her over the years and continued to look in on her even as her health diminished. The family is also incredibly grateful for the loving care extended by so many at Legacy Village of Sugar House. Please share memories and condolences at https://www.serenityfhs.com/m/obituaries/kathleen-nielson/Memories

Kathleen Nielson

November 7, 1947 - June 16, 2026