Marian Nielsen Reese

Marian Nielsen was born in Hyrum, Utah April 11, 1931, the fourth child of Ether Leslie and Constance Bullock Nielsen. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 12, 2024 at the age of 93. She was active, alert, and vibrant prior to her passing.

Marian was blessed with many God-given gifts, talents and virtues which brought her great joy as she shared them with others. Marian’s many musical talents provided opportunities for her to sing with the “Double Trio” in Ogden and the Jay Welch Chorale in SLC. She was a good student and considered an education as one of her prized possessions. She loved to participate in girls sports and surrounded herself with good friends. Marian was the consummate mother, grandmother, friend and homemaker. She possessed a great gift of forgiveness and acceptance of others.

Through the example of her beloved parents and faithful devoted ancestors, she developed an abiding faith in God and of the Gospel of Jesus Christ which was the foundation for her entire life. As a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served in many assignments including Ward and Stake Relief Society President, Primary President, and 13 years as a Service Missionary at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. She was a Ward Chorister into her 90’s.

At the age of twelve, she lost her father in a tragic farm accident. This event changed her life forever. It taught her valuable lessons of self-reliance and the value of hard work. Shortly after the passing of her father she was diagnosed with a chronic illness which almost took her life on several occasions. She quietly endured this challenge with grace, dignity and determination. She relied on her Heavenly Father, who was her comfort and support, with Priesthood blessings to heal her heart and to endure the ongoing illness.

Marian graduated from South Cache High where she served as Student Body Vice President and was FFA Queen. While enrolled at Utah State University, she received numerous honors as Junior Prom Queen, Attendant to the Sweetheart of Sigma Chi, Homecoming Queen Attendant, Phi Kappa Alpha Dream Girl, Jr. Class V.P., and member of the R.O.T.C. Sponsor Corps.

She graduated from USU with a composite degree in Home Economics Education and a minor in English.  

She married her sweetheart, Dale Lee Reese in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple on September 18th, 1953. The couple made their home in Ogden, Utah where they founded a family business, Standard Plumbing Supply Company. As the business grew, they moved to Salt Lake City in 1970.

They were the proud parents of six children, twenty-five grandchildren, and forty great-grandchildren. Her family was the center in her garden of life. Her home was her haven and was always open to extended family and friends.

Marian found joy in developing her homemaking skills and willingly shared them with those around her. She was well-known for her original Pecan Logs which she made by the hundreds at Christmas time to give to friends and family. Her feather-lite whole wheat rolls recipe gave her recognition in the newspaper. She loved poetry and wrote a poem each year as part of her Christmas greeting. 

She was an accomplished seamstress and designed and created a unique hooded bath towel for each of her grandchildren. She loved to garden and shared her famous raspberry jam and grape jelly with anyone who came to her door.

Marian is preceded in death by her husband, Dale Reese. Siblings: Elwood Nielsen, Lloyd Nielsen, Donna Sorenson and Stan Nielsen. She is survived by her six children and spouses: David (Kari) Reese, Dennis (Janie) Reese, Karen (Michael) Young, Marilee (David) Rawlings, Richard (Jill) Reese, Nancy (David) Wood, 25 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren.

Viewings will be held at the Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City on Friday, October 18th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm and at the Parleys 6th Ward, 2350 South 2100 East, Saturday, October 19th from 9:30-10:45 am. A Funeral Service will follow at 11:00 am. Interment at the Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery.