Lowell Nilsson

Lowell Nilsson
Manti, Utah

Lowell Alma Nilsson (1931-2024), beloved husband and dad, age 93, passed away at his home in Manti, Utah, on December 25, 2024 after brief hospice care following a stroke. He is survived by his loving wife, Gayle Pitts Nilsson, and all eight of his children: Diane (William Sparks), Patricia (Steven LeSueur), Mike (Christine), Karen (James Griffin), Suzanne (Dan Bills), Nanette (Joe Garcia), Marilee (Todd Garbison), and Melody, as well as eighteen grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild with another on the way. He is preceded in death by his four brothers.

Born on October 16, 1931 in Monroe, Utah, in the living quarters behind his mother’s grocery store, Dad lived his youth through both the Great Depression and World War II. He loved fishing on Monroe Mountain with his dad, playing the trumpet, creating works of art, and most of all, our mom, whom he danced with at a junior high school dance, and the rest was history. They married in 1951 in the Manti, Utah Temple, attending college in Cedar City. He was a skilled mechanic and supported his family that way for many years. Daughter Diane was born in Gunnison, Utah, after which Dad and Mother moved to Arizona and had the rest of the kids.

Dad worked for APS, later acquired by Southwest Gas, for more than 25 years. After working as a mechanic, he later became a gas troubleman, working many overtime hours to support eight kids. While working hard, he always made time for his kids, and took us on many trips, visiting nearly all of the United States. These trips are treasured memories for us all. He was a magnet for all animals, especially dogs. He prioritized health, reading classic literature as well as the daily news and the funnies, making up stories, telling “dad” jokes, and making the occasional French toast on Saturday mornings. He would get us all to go out on adventures, exploring many outdoor sites all over the states of Arizona and Utah, passing along his thorough knowledge of geology and his love of the outdoors.

Dad has been an example of kindness, meekness, strength, and humility our entire lives. He has been a wonderful example of what a good marriage is, and how to be the best spouse, putting our mom first and always being loving, affectionate, and making her design dreams come true. While shy, he had courage and kindness and cared deeply about us all. He was meticulous, a hard worker who instilled a strong work ethic in all of his kids, and a lover of photography, creating more than 30 rolls of family slides. He was known for his humor at all times, as well as his notorious sweet tooth.

Above all, he was a Christlike example of quiet, behind-the-scenes service, of daily scripture reading, of humble prayer, and of both serving faithfully in every church calling he ever had, while supporting Mother in hers as well. He especially loved serving in the Manti Temple for a total of ten years.

We will miss you so much, Dad, and think of you whenever we see 4-wheelers, graham crackers, old movies, beautiful sunsets, Andy Griffith, and plaid button-down shirts. You were the best Daddy of all.

Funeral services are to be held at the Manti 8th Ward Chapel in Manti, Utah as follows: Viewings on Friday, January 3rd from 6:00-7:00 p.m. and Saturday, January 4th from 9:30-10:30 a.m. The funeral will be held at the same building on Saturday, January 4th at 11:00 a.m. Interment services will be at Monroe Cemetery in Monroe, Utah on Saturday, January 4th at 2:30 p.m.

Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook www.maglebymortuary.com