Sarah JoAnne Carson Nielsen

Sarah JoAnne Carson Nielsen, 68, died April 23, 2025 in the comfort of her home where she loved and cared for her family and, in turn, was loved and cared for by them. Raising her family in love and righteousness was her life's work.

Sarah was born in Tooele, UT on November 4,1956 to Clifford Llewellyn and Annette LaRue Farr Carson. Growing up on her family’s farm presented “Little Jo the Rambler” with a world of adventure and excitement she couldn't wait to explore: fields of grain to wander; calves, bunnies, chicks, ducklings, kittens, and more to be cared for (and in the case of the kittens to be dressed up); and vegetables to be harvested, fruits to be canned, and flowers to be tended. Farming instilled in Sarah the value of hard work and the importance of wise stewardship. These values, in addition to many others, were taught to her by her parents and grandparents, who also sought to raise their family in love and righteousness.

While attending Brigham Young University Sarah met and fell in love with Alan Ray Nielsen. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple for time and all eternity on May 19, 1978. Their children have fond memories of being regaled with stories of their parents’ courtship on drives to and from Tooele as Sarah strove to keep the generations before her connected to the rising generations of her posterity.

Sarah turned down the opportunity to work as a professional pianist in favor of a career as a stay-at-home mother and devoted wife. Her skill on the piano blessed many as music was an important part of her home, church service, and friendships.

In the process of raising her five children Sarah's family expanded as her children’s friends, accepted and loved like her own children, were taught by example powerful lessons in unconditional love, acceptance, compassion, service, and enduring hardship with a sense of humor. She will be sorely missed by an abundance of those who would “arise up, and call her blessed” (Proverbs 31:28).

Her legacy of love continues as she is survived by her five children, Jennifer (Christopher) Hansen, Holly Nielsen, Annette (Nathan) Dutson, Matthew (Chanice) Nielsen, and Mark Nielsen; her nine grandchildren, Acacia Hansen, Eliora “Kamil” Hansen, Kaylee “Charlie” Dutson, Iris Hansen, Ryker Dutson, Ondine Hansen, Lucy Nielsen, Jayden Dutson, and Isla Nielsen; and her sister, Emma (Gary) Baker. She is preceded in death by her husband, Alan Nielsen; her parents, Clifford and LaRue Carson; and her brother, Arthur Carson.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. in the Copperview 1st Ward Meetinghouse, 12242 South 2700 West, Riverton, UT. Viewings will be held Tuesday, April 29, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m at Larkin Mortuary, 3688 W 12600 S, Riverton, UT. An additional brief viewing will precede funeral services from 11:00 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. at the Copperview 1st Ward Meetinghouse.

Funeral services will be streamed via Zoom for those wishing to attend virtually. To watch the services, please click the "Watch Services" link above.