Edith Melvina Nicolaysen

Edith Melvina Pope Nicolaysen, 87, died peacefully April 1, 2016 in Bountiful, Utah. Edith was born December 5, 1928 to Archie Glen and Fern Croshaw Pope, in Pocatello, Idaho.  When she was eight years old, her family moved to Southern California before settling three years later in Turlock, California.  She worked hard on the family farm.  During the Depression and World War II years she learned her strong work ethic.    

Edith graduated from Hughson High School and one week later married Stanley O. Nicolaysen on June 18, 1947, in the Salt Lake Temple.  They were married 65 years before Stanley passed away in 2012.  She then moved to Bountiful, Utah.

Edith and Stanley raised their family of eight children in Ripon and Manteca, California before moving the family to Salem, Oregon, in 1968, where they busily began building their Taco Bell business. 

Edith’s highest commitments were to the Savior Jesus Christ, her husband and her children.  Her greatest joy was in being a homemaker.  She loved being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  She gave much service to her church and community. She gained great satisfaction in making her home beautiful and helping others feel welcome there.  Throughout her life she loved to sing and often shared her musical talent.

She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in a variety of callings.  She enjoyed serving as an ordinance worker in the Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon Temples with her husband.  She also served as an Assistant to the Matron in the Portland Temple for three years.  She and Stanley served an 18-month mission in the England London South Mission. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley; her parents; and two older sisters, Ruth Horn and Velma Openshaw.  She is survived by her son, Timothy (Sally), of South Jordan, Utah; son, S. Carl (Pam), of Nampa, Idaho; daughter, Marian Sellers (Daniel), of Bountiful, Utah; daughter, Barbara Sabin (Brian), of Safford, Arizona; daughter, Geraldine Roberts (Robert), of Salem, Oregon; daughter, Elaine Miles (Roger), of Gilbert, Arizona; son, Duane (Tammy), of Salem, Oregon; daughter, Karen Baxter (Gregory), of Baker City, Oregon; and sisters Leila Norton and Lois Killpack, both of South Jordan, Utah.  Her posterity includes 31 grandchildren and 78 great grandchildren. 

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Russon Brothers Mortuary at 295 N Main St, Bountiful, Utah.  Visitation will be from 10:00 -10:45 a.m.  Interment will be at Restlawn Memory Gardens at Salem, Oregon on April 18, 2016.