Sarah Colton Neilsen

Sarah means “Princess”

Sarah Colton Neilsen, born April 25th, 1928, in Randlett, Utah, died peacefully May 16, 2025, in Mapleton, Utah several weeks after celebrating her 97th birthday and saying goodbye to family and loved ones. Sarah was the 8th of 9 children of Byron Owen Colton and Helen Merkley; and was proud of her beloved family and noble heritage.

She had a happy childhood and upbringing even though times were difficult during World War II. At Roosevelt High School, Sarah was quite popular, had a lovely voice, and enjoyed performing & singing with her friends. She was the first female in her family to graduate from college, and she always valued education and learning. Sarah married the day after her graduation from BYU and was sealed to Calvin Emil Neilsen in the Salt Lake Temple on June 6, 1950. They settled in Mona, Utah and lived there for 70 years, raising their family of eight children. Sarah loved people and music and was active in her church and community.

Sarah served in ward and stake leadership & teaching positions in Primary, Young Women’s, and Relief Society organizations, and loved serving with Calvin in the Manti Temple. She performed and sang for years in a Mona quartet with Betty Ellertson, Darlene Fowkes, and Beth Yates. Sarah loved our country and was very patriotic. She served as an election judge and wrote letters to Congressmen & Senators. Significantly, she tried to motivate and inform her family and neighbors with personal conversations, emails and letters to the editor.

Sarah was a loving, kind, patient, and persistent person—and a very strong woman. She was fiercely loyal to her family, country, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She was quick to acknowledge her shortcomings, but her entire life she tried to follow and model the teachings of Jesus Christ through love and service. She was the best mother and example to her family and will be missed by so many!

Sarah is preceded in death by her husband Calvin, all his Neilsen siblings, her daughter Marlaine, her parents and seven siblings (Ruth Chandler, Lula Dudley, Merrill Colton, Margaret Gould/Wyler, Gordon Colton, Elmo Colton, and Miles Colton). She is survived by 7 of her 8 children; and by her younger sister and best friend for life, Grace Berrett. Her children are Christian E. Neilsen (Suzanne Schwaar) of Mona, Helen K. DuRall (Darren) of Mona, John C. Neilsen (Kelly Talbot) of Medford, Oregon, Mary E. Furner (Carl) of Mapleton, Marlaine (died in 1968 at age five), Amy R. Neilsen of Mona, Paul O. Neilsen (Jill Hadley) of Draper, and Emily A. Tripp (Shawn) of Taylorsville. She has 34 grandchildren and 52 great grandchildren. She loves them with all her heart, and they were her pride and joy.

The family thanks Dr. Rassmussen & staff for years of medical care, Bonnie & the kind professionals at iCare Home Health and Hospice, and Brace & colleagues at Anderson Funeral Home.

There will be a viewing Sunday, June 1st from 6-8pm at the Anderson Funeral Home in Nephi, and from 10:00-10:45am on Monday, June 2nd prior to a funeral at 11am at the Mona 1st Ward building. Final interment will be at the Mona City Cemetery.