Karen Cummings Nielsen was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on August 4, 1937 to James Rulon Cummings and Gwendolyn Marie Caine Cummings. She passed away peacefully at her home on July 6, 2014 from the effects of a long-standing heart condition.
Karen was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She never hesitated to share her testimony of Jesus Christ with others. She held numerous church positions throughout her life. The highlight of her church service was as Relief Society President of the Mt. Olympus 2nd Ward. She worked hard to accomplish much good and loved serving and identifying the needs of those women around her. More recently, she taught a church class consisting of 5 year olds and had a great time with them. She was also active in the community and served as PTA President at Oakridge Elementary School.
Karen was a proud graduate of East High School Class of 1955. She graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Elementary Education and was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority. She taught at Union Elementary School in Midvale, Utah.
Karen married Douglas Nielsen on June 29, 1960. They celebrated 54 years of marriage together. They lived in Michigan and Texas during their early marriage and developed fine friendships there. She is the mother of three children and grandmother of eleven grandchildren. Throughout her life she was an example of providing service to others. Her greatest joy in life was in loving and serving and having fun with her family, friends and neighbors.
Preceded in death by her mother, father, and brother Hugh (Janet). Survived by her husband, Robert Douglas Nielsen; children: Robert Brent (Heather), Nanette (Jeff) Hexem, and Amie; grandchildren: Dallin, Ryan, Elizabeth, Mary, Jacob Nielsen and Anna, Claire, Allison Hexem and Avery, Courtland, and Paige Bills; siblings: Rulon (Jeannine) and Todd (Colleen - deceased)
We know of your love for us. We miss your broad smile, your infectious laugh and ability to make all around you feel good. We love you and miss you mom, grandma, sweetheart and friend.
The family wishes to thank all who helped care for Karen during her final months most especially the phenomenal nurse practitioners and cardiologists at Intermountain Heart Failure Clinic whom we adore after 15 years of dedicated care. We wish to thank the staff at St. Mark\s Cardiac Rehab where she faithfully exercised for the last 15 years, and in the process developed sweet friendships.
A viewing will take place on Sunday July 13, 2014 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Mount Olympus Stake Center, 3862 Oakview Drive and Monday, July 14th from 10:30 am to 11:30 am at the same building. Funeral services will be on Monday July 14th, 2014 at noon at the Mount Olympus Stake Center, 3862 Oakview Drive. Interment: Larkin Sunset Gardens.
Flowers or condolences may be sent to Larkin Mortuary. www.larkinmortuary.com
