July 28, 1940-July 30, 2022
Edward Mark Nielsen of St. George, Utah, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2022, with his loving wife Val by his side. Mark was born on July 28, 1940, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Edward P. and Delilah S. Nielsen. As the older brother to his sisters, Carol, and Janice, he did his best to be a good big brother while also finding mischief whenever possible. Mark graduated from South High School, where he met his sweetheart, Connie Hollands. Mark and Connie were married and were proud parents of four boys. Mark and Connie enjoyed 41 years of marriage until Connie’s unexpected death in 2001.
Mark was an exceptional father, always striving to support his family. He served four years in the Army Reserve and more than two decades with the Utah Highway Patrol. He also spent many years working security in LDS temples, first in a part-time role and then full-time upon retirement from the UHP. He almost always had a second job to meet the needs of his four active and hungry boys.
While working security at the Jordan River Temple, he met Valeree (Val) Turnbow. Val was able to spark a light in Mark, and they enjoyed 20 years together, sharing adventures along the way. Together they cruised the Caribbean, sailed through the Panama Canal and took extended road trips across the U.S. in a quest to visit each state. They also visited Canada, toured the British Isles and crossed Hawaii off their bucket list.
Whether for pleasure or work, Mark loved long drives. He spent countless hours behind the wheel of a Wells Fargo armored truck, his Utah Highway Patrol cars and various large trucks delivering Christmas trees from the Upper Midwest back to Utah. After retiring, he volunteered his time by driving veterans from St. George to the V.A. Hospital in Salt Lake City and back. He provided this service twice a week for several years. Keenly aware of the hazards on the road, Mark voluntarily surrendered his driver’s license as his age and dementia began to take hold.
Mark also enjoyed building stereo equipment and listening to music. He loved jazz music, especially when attending concerts with friends and family at the old Hotel Utah, Kingsbury Hall and other venues. At one time, Mark hoped for a New Orleans-style funeral but reluctantly revised his plans to omit jazz from being played in the chapel. He enjoyed a good steak, cold Pepsi, burnt almond fudge ice cream, the beauty of Southern Utah and anything University of Utah crimson. Shellfish, snow and BYU blue were always avoided. He was active with the Utah Highway Patrol Retired Troopers Association and valued the friendships he found. Family parties and holidays were filled with the hope that he would make one of his pecan, cherry, or paper bag apple pies.
While some may remember Mark’s stern façade, he was always more teddy bear than grizzly. Visits and phone calls from friends and family were what he treasured most. The family extends their gratitude to Val No. 2 (Duffy), Keith and Hope Tompkins and the many other friends and neighbors who have been so helpful.
Mark is preceded in death by his first wife Connie, survived by his loving wife Val, his sons Michael (Sheila), Dave (Karon), Robert (Kelly) and Richard (Vicki), 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be held Monday, Aug. 8, at 2079 East 2450 South St. George, Utah. There will be a viewing 9-10:30 a.m., followed by funeral services at 11 a.m. Interment is at Valley View Cemetery, 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City, Utah, on Tuesday, Aug. 9, at 1 p.. Instead of flowers, the family requests donations be made in honor of Mark to a dementia research charity of your choice.
Click here to view the services via Zoom, meeting ID 847 2487 2580, Passcode: 660300.
Family and friends are invited to click here to share tributes online. Arrangements and memorial tree planting by Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, 435-986-9100.