Milton Peter Nielsen

Life sketch of Pete Nielsen Milton Peter Nielsen blessed the heavens with his presence during the early morning on July 22, 2019 with loved ones at his side. At 81 years, he finally finished a difficult season of cancer once and for all. Milton Peter Nielsen (Chipper) graced the earth with his presence for the first time on March 15, 1938. He was the first born to Dora Smith Nielsen and Milton Enoch Nielsen in Burley Idaho. He spent his childhood learning and growing in the Magic Valley. He moved with his family several times and attended many schools. In his childhood he experienced WWII. His family suffered many trials. This is where he started to develop his Honest Abe Integrity, hard work ethic, and the ability to find the bright side in difficult situations. He grew in knowledge and learning. He loved to have fun and shared these gifts with all. He met the love of his life, Connie Smith, while attending Minico high school. Their courtship started while dancing on the ballroom floor. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls temple on December 11, 1959. They danced together through their earthly union for just short of 60 years. This union was soon joined by eight children, Robin Jo Workman (Scott), Milton Arlow (Kelli Morgan), April Bate (Michael), Heather Frazee (Dan), Celeste Lundberg (Dennis Doyle) Clint Peter (Denise Beckett), Ivan Ray (Kevin), Desarae (Lonnie Baxter). Pete was an excellent singer. With Connie always at his side, lovingly accompanying him at piano, they performed on many stages. He will, for the first time, be accompanying her from the heavens above as she continues her earthly sojourn with their children, 27 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. As their family grew, Pete and his bride moved 13 times throughout southern Idaho and northern Utah while attending school and pursuing various vocations. They eventually landed in Mountain Home, Idaho remaining there for 52 years. He said his last farewells in the home he built for his family. Pete shared many stories of childhood and courtship with his family. His children and grandchildren gleaned many attributes from these stories. He possessed a stalwart ability to learn and grow continually. These values were taught, through teaching and example, to his family and all others. It was his way to have fun and laughter while working hard and long. He played with the exuberance of a child, served with Christ like charity for all, and worshiped reverently and respectfully. His greatest gift was his testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. He was strong in his faith, always being obedient to the things he believed were right. He stood strong amongst the storms of life with an unwavering strength he gained from his testimony of Jesus Christ, God the Father and the Holy Ghost. He had a reverence for life and a zest for living it. He could be seen on baseball fields usually as catcher, and working in farm fields, singing, sweating and praying. He always did more than was required. He was seen on the dance floor, and later the Idaho legislative floor serving diligently as a representative from District 23 and 22 for fourteen years. He had a unique laugh and contagious smile for all. These were shared with others often. He had many friends. No one was a stranger to Pete. The ability to serve others with all his capacity was always seen. He served many positions in the LDS church. He was an excellent teacher and public speaker. He was frequently teaching others in classes and from the pulpit at church as well as in government positions. He was a great debater. He lived and taught always how to live righteously, without pride, never backing down from something he believed in! He loved God, the United States of America, Her freedoms and history. He served and taught diligently of ways to preserve and respect these things. He was the epitome of common sense and used this in everything he did. It bothered him deeply when he could not serve in the military due an arm injury. He loved and served his wife, children, parents, siblings as well as friends and colleagues to his greatest ability. He sacrificed much for them, always thinking of others before himself. Pete and Connie would travel long and far, often inconvenienced but with joyful hearts, to share in the milestones of family member’s lives. A fishing pole often graced his hand. He enjoyed skillfully fishing various rivers. He shared many fishing excursions with his children and grandchildren. He was very conservative both in politics and with finances. The only times when he would splurge was to surprise and love his wife. Nothing was too good for her in his eyes! They shared the romance of a lifetime, loving, laughing, singing, dancing, and even quarreling as they faced many challenges, always united in purpose. Connie was always number one to Pete. As children we understood this. Dad taught us how to love and care for Mom, as well as our spouses, by the devotion and love he exemplified for Mom. Pete was an amazing, righteous, loyal and loving husband, father, grandpa, son, brother, uncle, cousin. He provided for his family through salesmanship and farming. He loved working in the fields alongside his father, father in-law, sons, and daughters. Sweetheart, Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, Leader and Colleague we sadly send you to embraces of loved ones and friends in Heaven. We will miss your smile, song and laughter while expecting to feel your love and spirit until we meet again. Pete was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Larry, sisters Bonnie Halls and Connie Jo Griffin, a grandson Tyler Lewis Nielsen, great grandsons Heston Scot Nielsen and Adam Arlow Nielsen. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 29, 2019 at 2:00 pm with a viewing from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm at the LDS Stake Center, 790 South Hasket Street, Mountain Home, Idaho. A grave side service will be at the Clifton, Idaho cemetery on July 30th at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Primary Children Hospital, P.O. Box 413043, Salt Lake City, Utah 84141. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at rostfuneral.com or webbmortuary.com.