S. Ray Nielsen

S. Ray Nielsen
Logan ? Steven Ray Nielsen, our beloved husband, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully at his home on August 15, 2011, surrounded by his family and friends. Ray was born April 28, 1946, in Malad, Idaho, to Joseph Reed and Isabelle Owens Nielsen. He was raised on his family's ranch in Portage, Utah. Ray attended Portage Elementary, graduated from Bear River High School in 1964, and attended Weber State College. He served an LDS mission in the East Central States Mission. Ray married Jane Oyler on August 14, 1970, in the Logan LDS Temple. He loved Jane very much and she was his guardian angel. They lived in Portage and Garland before moving to Logan where they have spent the last 27 years. Ray was a dedicated employee, working at U&I Sugar, Morton Thiokol, and Autoliv, Inc. Having no children of their own, Ray and Jane found joy and fulfillment by taking part in the lives of their nephews and nieces and their children. For them, Ray was a second father and grandfather who brought happiness, laughter, and love into their lives. Ray was an avid sports fan. He maintained an unwavering loyalty to his Bear River Bears, where he was honored with the outstanding alumnus award; his Weber State Wildcats; the Utah Jazz; and the New York Yankees. Even when Ray's physical health began to fail him, he still had a great memory for game statistics, dates, and places. Jane has tended to Ray's health care needs for many years with so much love and compassion. As Ray became less mobile, he stayed connected to family and friends on the telephone. He had a long list of friends he would dial just to say "hi" and ask "what are you doing?". Ray has fought against many health afflictions in his life and looked forward to freedom from his illnesses and being with his loved ones who have passed on before him. He will be greeted by his father and mother; brothers, R. Owen and J. Allan Nielsen; sister-in-law, Aleta Thompson; grandparents; and nephews, Wesley O. and Scott R. Nielsen. Ray is survived by his loving wife, Jane; his sister Jeane Gary Evans of Ogden; and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. Ray was a loyal friend and loving husband and will be sorely missed by all who knew him. The family wishes to express gratitude to the members of the Logan Ninth Ward and Bishop Jason Lambert for their compassion and friendship. They also wish to express deep appreciation for the tender loving care shown to Ray over the years by Dr. Jack Wahlen, Dr. Harry Senekjian, Dr. Agnes Szpunar, the Logan Regional Hospital Dialysis staff, and the Access homecare and hospice nurses and staff. Organ donation extended Ray's life. Please consider organ donation. Ray's desire was to give this gift of life to someone else. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Friday, August 19 in the Logan Ninth Ward chapel, at 125 East 500 North. The family will meet with friends on Thursday, August 18, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Nelson Funeral Home, 162 East 400 North in Logan. Friends can also meet with family from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. before funeral services at the church. Interment will be in the Portage cemetery at 3 PM. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com