Nancy Lyn Rawson

Nancy Lyn Geertsen Rawson, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend left this world in the early morning hours of April 5, 2024, at the age of 73. She fought a valiant battle against a genetic lung disease for several years and we find comfort and peace in knowing that she is now free from her physical pains and challenges. She is the heart and soul of her family and a light and a joy to all who knew her, and her love and influence will continue to be felt by all those she left behind.

Nancy was born on June 23, 1950, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the second of four children. Her family moved to Kearns, Utah when she was very young, and she lived there the rest of her growing up years. Nancy was always very active and athletic, and as a young girl, longed to be able to play baseball with the boys, even though girls weren’t allowed. She loved to sing and had a beautiful voice. She was involved in several plays and musicals throughout her youth and participated in a traveling musical group during college, performing at various wards and stakes in the area. She learned to sew at a young age and became a very talented seamstress. She was popular and well-liked because of her friendly and outgoing disposition and was involved in several school leadership positions and clubs at her high school. She graduated from Kearns High School in 1968 and attended LDS Business College and Snow College for her education. At Snow College, Nancy and her roommate were the first girls on the previously all-men’s college tennis team, and she continued to play and have a love for tennis for the rest of her life.

Nancy was working at Zions Bank when a friend and co-worker (who would later become her sister-in-law) told her she should meet her fiancé’s brother. Nancy agreed and went on a blind date with Rand Rawson, who would soon become the love of her life. She and Rand dated for ten months and were then married in the Salt Lake Temple for time and all eternity on July 2, 1975. Through their almost 49 years of marriage, they truly exemplified how to love unselfishly and unite completely and left an enduring legacy of marital love and devotion for all of their children and grandchildren to strive for.

Rand and Nancy welcomed three children into their family, one son and two daughters. Nancy was a devoted, angel mother who found her greatest joy in taking care of her family. She would light up a room with her smile and cheerfulness and always made sure each one of her children felt completely loved and wanted. Although she had hoped to stay and raise her children in Utah, Rand’s job eventually took them on an adventure around the country, giving them the chance to live in Illinois, Washington, New Jersey, and eventually back to Utah. Though she didn’t want to move initially, she ended up loving her time living across the country, making many dear and lasting friendships and memories, and later said that she wouldn’t have traded those experiences for anything.

Nancy worked at Franklin Covey Company for twenty years in various positions and loved her time there and the people she worked with. Both of her daughters were even lucky enough to work with her there at different times as they were going to school. Nancy also loved to travel, and one of her favorite places to go was Yellowstone National Park. Her parents had taken her and her siblings there many times as children, and Nancy made sure that her own family made it there regularly. Her enthusiasm for the park and the fun traditions she started there made it a beloved family destination.

Nancy was blessed with 15 grandchildren who were a constant joy in her life. She was a faithful cheerleader at many sporting events and various performances and was a skilled and competitive game player for any grandchild who asked her to play-which happened a lot! Her love for her children and grandchildren was unmeasurable, and each of them knew it.

Nancy was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ. She served in many positions in the church including Relief Society President, Young Women President, and anything else that she was asked to do. She had a firm testimony of the gospel and a naturally compassionate heart and love for everyone she came in contact with. She loved unconditionally and without judgment and was truly an elect lady and one of the most Christ-like people you could ever meet. We will miss her dearly but take comfort in knowing that we will be reunited again as an eternal family one day.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Lois Geertsen, and sister, Margie (Ray) Hardy. She is survived by her beloved husband, Rand Rawson, her three children, Daniel Rawson, Jessica Steelman, and Lindsay (Jason) Buhler, 15 grandchildren, her sister, Patty (Jerry) Bennion and brother, Gary (Jill) Geertsen; and numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews.

There will be a viewing Wednesday, April 10, 2024, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints meetinghouse at 1953 E. Lone Tree Pkwy, Eagle Mountain, Utah. Funeral services will be held at the same location on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 11:00 am with a viewing held beforehand from 9:30 - 10:30 am. Interment to follow at Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy, Utah. If you would like to watch the services, please click on the blue button above.