Marlene Wilkinson Nielson

Marlene Wilkinson Nielson, Vaughn’s beautiful “bride” of 60 years passed away peacefully in his arms on January 18^th, 2022, in the place she loved most her home.  Her last few hours, she was lovingly surrounded by her five children, her husband and other family members.

She came into this world with her twin, Maurene, born to Earl and Evelyn Wilkinson, as the youngest of their children.  Their older sisters, Delores and MaryLee acted as little mothers to the twins.  Their home was in Butlerville, Utah, and her dad was caretaker of the Old Mill at one time.  With a family of four girls and her dad wanting a boy, Marlene would often say, “My dad had three girls and me.”  Growing up, she enjoyed fishing, hiking, nature and even had a pet tarantula that she would take to school to scare the other children.  Eventually, the Principal told Earl, your daughter cannot come back to school until she leaves that spider home.  In High School she became a cheerleader, student body officer and was proud to be a Jordan High Beet-Digger.  She was working at Smith’s Drive-In her senior year, when Vaughn pulled up, fresh out of the Army with a couple of his buddies.  He took one glance at Marlene, looked at his friends and said, “This is the girl I’m going to marry,” – and he did.

They were married In the Salt Lake Temple on June 2^nd, 1961.  They made their first home in Butlerville, Utah (which is now Cottonwood Heights), very close to the Old Mill.   Soon thereafter, they moved to Kaysville where Vaughn built an A-Frame cabin for their young family and Marlene owned a Daycare.

She was a member of the Kaysville First Ward, serving in many different capacities.  She never turned down a calling.  She also served in scouting, with the intent of being where her kids were.  In 1988, the opportunity to live abroad took them and their youngest three children to Okinawa, Japan.  While living on the island, Marlene taught in both American & Japanese schools and was a Friends Abroad Coordinator, placing Japanese students with American Families.  In the Okinawa military branch, she continued her path of serving, including Young Women’s President & Seminary Teacher.  When they moved back to Kaysville, she excelled in managing Curves Fitness and even snuck in her world-famous pumpkin chocolate chip cookies to the ladies.  She loved her Savior Jesus Christ and His gospel. She enjoyed serving as Relief Society President, in the Primary, and with the youth.

With her beloved companion, she served missions to Nauvoo, Illinois, where she shared her love of pioneer history.  Later, she served at the Bishop’s Storehouse where she conveyed her love of cooking.  Vaughn and Marlene always had a huge garden and friends and neighbors benefited from all the produce as well as the many loaves of bread and baked goods coming from Marlene’s kitchen.  She served and loved everyone that came into her life – Service was certainly the core foundation of her happiness.  Her optimism and enthusiasm were contagious.  Marlene enjoyed celebrations; birthdays & holidays were always done with a bang! She is a true example of Christ-like love, serving and caring for all.  She would give you everything she had, if you needed it, and even if you didn’t.  She was a bright light in this world and in all our lives.  We will try hard to emulate her example and carry on her legacy.  She showed true courage and faith in difficult times and had a powerful testimony of prayer.

She is survived by her husband Vaughn E Nielson, twin sister Maurene, sister MaryLee, her five children, (Traci (Cory) Jensen, Toni (Randy) Soderquist, Vaughn Christian (Lori) Nielson, Leslie (Ryan) Saunders & Corey (Jade) Nielson), 20 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and soon to be 24.

We’d like to thank everyone who has helped Mom throughout the years.  We especially thank the angels at Canyon Home Care & Hospice and the wonderful staff at Rocky Mountain Care Center.  They have helped us beyond measure.  Funeral Services will be held at the Kaysville Rock Chapel, 25 S. 200 E., Kaysville, on Monday, January 24^th at 11:00 AM, with a visitation from 9:30 – 10:30 AM.  Interment will be at the Kaysville City Cemetery following the funeral services.

Due to technical difficulties, a livestream of the service will not be available at this time. A recorded video will be posted on the obituary when services conclude.