Kent Gardner Nielson's Obituary
Spread Cheer and Joy!
Kent Gardner Nielson passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack on Saturday, September 9, 2023. He was 48. Kent was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. Kent loved life. His motto was “Spread Cheer and Joy!” He was a committed family man who loved his family and was dedicated to his children Olivia and Mitch, and his beautiful wife Danielle. Kent was the heart of their family. Kent will be forever loved and missed by so many.
Being with his family was his happy place. His wife and children were his number one priority. Kent and Danielle loved watching Olivia perform in her many theater productions and attending Mitch’s lacrosse, basketball, and football games. They loved spending time in the mountains and on the golf course as a family. “Nielson Family Church” was a cherished and sacred time for Kent.
Kent enjoyed spending time with his extended family. He is survived by his mom, Jennie Ferguson; their favorite thing to do was cook together. His dad and his stepmom, Robert J. Nielson and Kae Lynne Nielson and their son Parker who he loved dearly. Kent and his dad’s best time spent was on the golf course. His twin sister and her family, Amber Tetrick and her husband Andy and their children Estie and Lily. Being twins, Amber and Kent had a deep bond; she loved him dearly, and often joked that she “would lay down in front of a train for him”. His little brother Jeff Nielson and his wife Stephanie and their children Wyatt, Drew, Nash and Tagg. Jeff and Kent, just like their dad, shared the same passion for golf. Many of their fondest memories were on the golf course. Kent always showed up at every family event with an orchid in tow to brighten the occasion.
When you ask Danielle’s family about Kent and what he meant to them they would say Kent was the rock of the family. Kent cherished his relationships and felt extremely lucky to have married into a wonderful family. He created incredible memories with Craig and Bonnie Crosland, Mike and Kristy Crosland, Troy and Leslie Crosland, and Lindsey and Mike Rawlings. Kent and Danielle loved taking their nieces and nephews on adventures. Kent was a kid at heart and loved spending time with his nieces and nephews, Jessica, Char, Amanda, Brandon, Allison, Ashley, Kate, Gavin, Cooper, and Owen.
Kent created lasting friendships throughout his life. People who knew him felt lucky to be in his life. He had a tight knit group of friends who supported him, traveled with him, laughed with him, and grew with him. These brotherly bonds started early in childhood with Jeff Taylor and Eric Parrish. Their incredible friendship will stand the test of time. They would often be found skiing, biking, skating, adventuring, traveling, golfing, and e-biking. Kent continued to enjoy meaningful and lasting friendships at Olympus High School and Utah State University where he was in the Sigma Nu Fraternity.
Kent excelled in many successful careers and entrepreneurial adventures; from running a boutique hotel in Puerto Vallarta, to co-owning a successful cell phone franchise, operating a Heli-ski business in Argentina, to cooking artisan bread and hosting clients, to his latest endeavor establishing a home staging company with his wife, Danielle. Kent left an impact wherever he went and wanted to make the world a better place. He was curious, tender-hearted, kind and bright, and most importantly he wanted to make the world a better place. Kent’s motto in life was to “Spread Cheer and Joy” (which he wore on his license plate) …and that he did!
Kent would say he was a father, husband, friend, and a believer in making a difference. His friends and family would say he was generous, a quiet lover of family and friends and nature’s creatures, a tender and thoughtful human being who was loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He has made an indelible mark on our lives.
Speak his name with joy. He would want it that way. Honor his memory by being kind. He was the best at it. Don’t choose sides. Choose love.
A celebration of Kent’s life will be held at Willow Creek Country Club on Sunday, September 24, 2023 from 4-7pm. If attending, casual or golf attire is encouraged. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Utah. He would want to see underprivileged children have the same opportunities and mentorship his own children have had.
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