Leola Smith Nielsen was born March 6, 1917, in Turner, Idaho, the daughter of Hyrum Wendell and Adella Smith. She returned to her Heavenly Father on May 28, 2021, surrounded by her family. She lived her 104 years to the fullest, independently and dedicated to her family, her friends, her faith, and her beautiful gardens. Leola had one brother, Harold, and two sisters, Ruth and Gladys.
She attended school in Thatcher, Idaho, traveling there by horse, wagon, or sleigh. She graduated from Thatcher High School as valedictorian. She participated in basketball and pep club when not spending long hours working on the family farm.
Leola met her husband, Leo Hans Nielsen, while attending Stevens-Henegar Business College in Salt Lake City. They shared their love for 67 years. Leola is survived by her six children, Carolyn (Dick) Freeman, John (Pat) Nielsen, Nola Chase, Gale (Cheryl) Nielsen, Adele (Patrick) Casaday, and Loren (Debbie) Nielsen. Her life was filled with her 25 grandchildren, 65 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great grandchildren.
Leola was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints and served in the Primary, Young Women’s, and Relief Society organizations. She and her husband served together as extraction missionaries for over 22 years.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 Thursday, June 3, 2021, at Olympus First Ward, 4100 Camille St., Holladay, UT 84124.
Viewings: 6:00 – 8:00 Wednesday, June 2, 2021, and Thursday, June 3, 2021, 10:30 – 11:30 both of which will be at the church.
Services may be watched via the following link, which will require a free Zoom account, is not already set up: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/r8pmNsHnC5obhCEw8aWX0aXdegf0zU9SXIbxb4Z-osHrpvt3w66AxvNvAwaCxmoK.OPlE8cm9ozPasMJB?startTime=1622743594000
PASSCODE TO WATCH RECORDED SERVICE: $YG8RY!c
Dear Carolyn, John, Nola, Gale, Adele, and Loren,
Leola was a grand woman. I cherish the memories I have of your family, most of which are of times we spent together "on the farms".
This is from Jo Marie Smith Poppleton daughter of John Sivell and Jospehine Smith. John was the son of George Sivell and Ethel Smith.
I remember Leola from when we would visit Uncle Wendell and Aunt Della when she was there in the summers. She was always kind and generous to us. We loved playing with her kids, since we were their ages. She helped with Family History. She was fun to be around. We enjoyed seeing Leo and Leola.
Our sympathy to all her family! God bless you with wonderful memories of lives well lived.
Love, Marie and Steven Poppleton and family, Jospehine Smith and family
To the families of Leola Smith Nielsen,
On the passing of Your Dear Mother - She'll always be in your heart. Losing a mother is one of the deepest sorrows a heart can know. But her memory lives on--- a legacy of love that will always be with you. Hope that love surrounds you now and brings you peace.
In this time of sadness at Leola's passing from this side of the veil, remember the joy she is sharing on the other side. May you see God in the faces of friends, hear Him in their voices, feel Him in the touch of their hands.....May their help, caring, and sympathy reflect HIs love and kindness at this time when you need Him most.
I remember all the hours of sharing in our genealogy records with Leola, Ruth Ann, and myself. I loved to visit her and talk on the phone when possible. I lost track of phone numbers and addresses for her children after we completed the compilation of the Smith Family Book for George Michael and Mary Ellen Woolley Smith posterity. It had been copied onto discs. John had a big hand in its doing.
My former Bishop Ken and LeAnn Isom will be at the funeral. I have a Dr.'s appt. and will not be able to come. I've asked them to bring me a funeral program for my Smith family book that I printed out.
Will you please give me a contact point (e-mail) for your family. My mom will celebrate her 99 birthday on August 13. She wants a ride in a surrey with fringe on top around Smithfield, pulled by a team of Clydesdale horses. We'll be in touch. My sincere sympathy, Janice, your second cousin, Smith side.
Dear Family of Leola,
Your mother was a special woman to me. We enjoyed a long professional and friendly relationship. I visited her and your Dad many Decembers at their home where we would exchange gifts. I loved her cookies and divinity! She left behind a wonderful legacy. She will be missed. Hugs, Therese Milad