Opal Nielsen

Opal Nielsen

Gunnison, Utah

Opal Hyatt Nielsen, 102, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at the home of her daughter, Rita North in West Jordan, Utah, of causes incident to age. She was born the third child of Lancelot Newberry Hyatt and Annie Adella Decker, September 23, 1916, in Parowan, Utah. She moved with her family to Gunnison Valley where she grew up, graduated from Gunnison Valley High School and lived the remainder of her life. She was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Manti Temple at the age of eight. She and her husband Lamont were married in the Manti Temple on April 2, 1936. He preceded her in death September 5, 1995.

Opal was a dedicated support to her husband. She was by his side helping on the farm and working hard to make their life enjoyable. They struggled to make a success of their farm and other difficult circumstances as a young married couple in the early 1900’s. She had many talents including being a wonderful homemaker and a beautiful seamstress, making clothes and costumes for her children. She made hundreds of quilts for family even sewing quilt blocks until she was in her 101st year of life. As a young woman she loved to square dance with her husband. Opal was a woman of great faith and her life centered around her family and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many positions and callings during her lifetime in the Gunnison and Centerfield Wards. She loved family history and temple work and anything to do with her family and posterity. She spent many hours and days on her genealogy books and family history. She was frustrated with living such a long life without her husband Lamont and felt that he had left her on the earth alone too long. Her pleasant, easy-going personality resonated with her many friends, family and acquaintances, many of whom have preceded her in death.

Opal is survived by her sons: Dick (Wilma), Kent, Dee (Kathy), and daughter Rita (Terry) North; 22 grandchildren, 73 great-grandchildren, 41 great-great-grandchildren; and her brother Rulon. She was also preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Morlan, Elmo, Dearrel, Lance, Gene; and sisters LaVell, Elvona; daughter-in-law Leatrice (Kent’s wife). She will be greatly missed by her 140 living descendants and countless friends.

The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to her daughter and son-in-law, Rita and Terry, granddaughter Bethany Blackham, Lorraine Henrie and Applegate Hospice who maintained a level of comfort and dignity for Opal that could not have been surpassed.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Gunnison Utah LDS Stake Center, where a visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Interment at Centerfield City Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com