Zandra Nilsen, age 73, passed away unexpectedly on August 1, 2023, in Sandy, Utah from complications following a recent surgery. She was born on March 31, 1950, in Flagstaff, Arizona to Walter Johannessen and Jessie Dagsland Meling. She married the love of her life, Thor Nilsen on December 6, 1968, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Zandra loved children and they loved her. She gave birth to 5 children after almost giving up due to medical problems with both conceiving and maintaining pregnancies. She was the fun-maker and instigator of many pranks in the family. Everyone loved her and her great sense of humor. She loved all kinds of animals, allowing her children to grow up with dogs, cats, pet snakes, tarantulas, and iguanas. In her small backyard, one might find goats, rabbits, and even a full-size horse that needed constant treatment for a bad leg. She was the go-to person in the neighborhood for problems with their pets as well as their children. She helped with the whelping of her own dogs, as well as many friends’ dogs. At one time she was a volunteer docent at Hogle Zoo taking various exotic animals to public schools. She was an avid dog trainer, winning many awards in Obedience as well as Confirmation. She loved her well-trained service dogs who travelled with her almost everywhere. She was an active member of the Great Salt Lake Dog Training Club.
When her eldest daughter married a soldier and they eventually settled in his hometown of Pittsburgh PA, she found the church she had been looking for all her life – Nottingham Christian Center in Eightyfour Pennsylvania. Her soul resonated with the Gospel of love preached and practiced there. Even though she was only able to visit her church occasionally, she had many close friends there, especially her pastor, Bill Lusk.
Survived by her husband Thor Nilsen; five children Christopher Arne (Rebecca) Nilsen, Jennifer (John) Hartt, Heidi (Jason) Brower, Leif Spencer (Jennifer) Nilsen, and Jon Michael (Heather Dangerfield) Nilsen; sister Inger Johannessen of Norway, Arne Martin Meling of Norway, Susan Weggersen of Norway, Heidi Linn Meling of Norway; and long-time friend, Inger Johanne Pedersen of Norway; her grandchildren Dakota Nilsen, Teagan Jones, Zaiden Nilsen, Aspen Nilsen, Brooke Nilsen, Jakob Brower, Emma Brower, and Savannah Brower. Preceded in death by her parents Jessie (Arne) Meling and Walter Johannessen.
Loved you Yesterday, Love you Still, Always Have, Always Will.
Friends are invited to greet the family at the viewing on Sunday, August 6th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Rd. (10600 S.), Sandy. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 7th at 11:00 AM with a viewing one hour prior to services also at Larkin Sunset Gardens. Interment to follow services at Utah Veterans Memorial Park, 17111 S. Camp Williams Rd., Bluffdale. To view previously held services please click on the link provided https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/pJTrYDYuCw7DlINrsSBvSuMdOw7SCDWAaS6q3b7injgKwOvy_ndzb1W2FPxuXB0l.BBtFdAlB7VqyIV84?startTime=1691426737000
The Nilsen family is in my prayers!
I love Zandra so much and her family. She was always very welcoming to me and took me under her wing during my younger and teenage years. I spent a lot of time with her and her family and I even babysat her children. We had a lot of fun together. She always had a laugh and a smile. And she did pull some pretty good pranks. I love her and I love her family. I wish them much comfort and peace at this time. Thankful for so many wonderful memories.
Love, Christine
Rest in peace, Zandra.❤️❣️ Thank you for all our meetings and happy time together when we went to school in Stavanger. At that time you lived with my family in Grødem for a short time. I will always remember you and I hope the best for your family in this hard time without you.
Greetings from Norway 🇳🇴. Anne Ingunn
Wish we could be there for you and your family. Know you are all in our prayers! Sending hugs
Takk for alle gode minner! Hvil i fred, til vi sees igjen kjære tante Zandra.
Min dypeste medfølelse med resten av familien!
Varmeste hilsen fra Cecilie, Rune og Aurora ❤️
Zandra was such a nice person and always made me smile. My condolences to Thor and your family. You are all in my thoughts.
Although I haven’t seen or spoken to Zandra in a long time, I have thought of her often over the years. She was a true friend who was always there for so many people. I am grateful to have known her and her family. So sorry she is gone too soon. She had many sweet and endearing family traditions and I am grateful she shared one with me that I carry on each year with my family…her Christmas bread. Thank you Zandra for being an example of unconditional love.