Delila Olsen

Delila Olsen
Ephraim, Utah

    Delila Cook Nielson Olsen, 99, passed away on November 12, 2023. She was born August 27, 1924 to Stephen Joshua Cook and Clara Lillian Doty Polson Cook. She was raised during the Great Depression and learned to be very frugal during her life and take care of things. 
    She was raised in Taylor, Idaho and attended the area schools. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was a veteran of WWII, serving as a Navy Nurse in the WAVES. After the war, she married Dan LaVon Nielson on November 13,1945 in Elkton, Maryland. They were later sealed in the Manti Temple on November 22, 1948; and settled in Ephraim where they raised their family. Throughout these years, she served in many callings and capacities for the Church but her favorite was serving for nearly 20 years in the Manti Temple. After LaVon passed away (February 11, 1979), she married Leon P. Olsen. Together, they served a mission at the Mormon Battalion Visitor’s Center in San Diego, California. This 18-month mission was extended for 6 months as they worked with the local Cambodian people. In 1997, she and Leon were recipients of The Degree of Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Snow College. Leon passed away on October 31, 2003. 
    Throughout her life, Delila was valiant in pursuing and documenting her family history; she was an avid journal writer; and she was also an active participant in the Daughters of  Utah Pioneers. 
    She is survived by her children: Dan (Jean) Nielson, Ephraim; Debra (Craig) Jensen, Hyde Park; Kelly (Mary Kae) Nielson, Riverton; and Gordon (Maria) Nielson, Saratoga Springs; daughter-in-law, Barbara (Bart) Nelson. She enjoyed 24 grandchildren, 71 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren. 
    She was preceded in death by her parents and all 20 siblings; by two husbands and son, Terry Nielson. 
    At the time of her passing, she was among the longest living and oldest residents of Ephraim. The family wishes to express appreciation to the doctors and nurses at Payson Hospital and Advanced Health Care of Payson. The family also expresses appreciation to iCare Hospice of Springville for their support during this difficult time. A special thank you from the family is given to Preston and Valorie (granddaughter) Golding for willingly and lovingly opening their home for hospice care. The family also expresses thanks to Magleby Mortuary for their kind and professional services. Finally, a special thank you to the Ephraim Second Ward (she loved her ward family) and the residents of Sanpete County for their thoughts, prayers and charitable services to the family at this time.
    Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 12:00 p.m., in the Ephraim 2nd Ward Chapel, 450 N 200 W. Friends may call prior to services at the church from 10:00-11:30 a.m.  Interment will be in the Ephraim Park Cemetery with military honors. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.  Live streaming and online guestbook can be found at www.maglebymortuary.com below Delila’s obituary.