Maurice Gail Nielsen's Obituary
Maurice Gail Nielsen passed away peacefully June 18, 2025 in Lindon, Utah at the age of 97, having recently celebrated Father’s Day with his three daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was born on August 17, 1927, in Provo, Utah, the eldest of four children of Beth Felt and Maurice Warner Evans. His parents divorced in 1931.
Beth and her four children lived in many places in Utah, but most memorable was his time on his grandparent’s farm in Centerfield, Utah. Gail learned to raise farm animals and milk cows and help care for his grandparent’s large farm. He would use this experience in his career later in life.
After graduating from North Sevier High School in 1945, Gail planned to go to college in Cedar City, but he was drafted. He received a deferment, then served in the Merchant Marines. After losing his deferment, Gail served in the Army in Japan during the Allied occupation from 1946-1948. In places like Kyushu and Kyoto, Japan, he served in the 296th Army Band performing in parades and parks.
He attended BYU and received a bachelor’s degree in Geology. After college, Gail found a job at Boeing in Seattle, Washington. At a LDS dance practice in 1953 he met Cherene Croshaw, one of the dancers. They were married in Seattle, then later sealed in the Manti Temple. They have five children: Art, Gaylene, Leslie, Albert, and Diane Beth. His two sons preceded him in death.
Gail left Boeing in 1957 to work in the grocery and nursery business with his father-in-law. He managed the nurseries at three P-X Sooper Market stores in Bellevue, Washington from 1957 through 1967, then opened his own nursery in Kirkland, Washington and added lawn mower repair services and sales in 1975.
In 1978, Gail’s wife Cherene died of stomach cancer at age 49. In 1979, Gail married Katherine Zollinger Meyers. Gail believed he had hit the jackpot marrying Kathie, in part because he was gaining 10 children, and many, many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Gail served in both the Seattle Temple and the Mt. Timpanogos Temple for many years. He held other positions in the Church. He and Kathie served as Family History Consultants and Gail enjoyed indexing work.
Many were Gail’s hobbies and talents. He loved to prepare breakfast for their children and grandkids with his famous buttermilk waffles, homemade jams and ground wheat cereal. BYU ice cream also was on hand for a treat. Gail loved gardening, photography, reading and BYU Sports.
When Gail retired in 1994, he and Kathie moved to Orem. They were blessed in their choice of both their home and their ward where they found so many wonderful new friends who embraced them as family.
Gail continued repairing small engines in Orem, but now in his garage and driveway for his neighbors, friends and family. But he often went the extra mile and taught others how to repair their own mowers.
Gail is survived by daughters Gaylene (Gary) Carlson, Leslie Nielsen and Diane (John) Kimber, and stepchildren, Rose Meyers, Kathy (Andrew) Trefethen, Karen (Clark) Jackson, Dorothy (Robert) Tomco, Marsha (John) Hoyt, Debra (Kevin) Soelberg, Gay Lynne (Michael) Kelly, Linda Meyers, David (Mindy) Meyers, and Robb (Diana) Meyers, and many, many grand-, great and great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by sons Duane Arthur, Albert William and stepson Guy Meyers.
The family would like to thank the staff of Applegate Home Health for providing Gail with excellent, sensitive and professional care. The staff and residents at Spring Gardens welcomed him also and gave him wonderful service.
The Lakeridge 8th Ward has made a deep impression in our family with such ready charitable acts over the years on behalf of Gail and Kathie. You won’t be forgotten. Many thank yous.
A viewing will be held on Friday, June 27, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in the Relief Society Room at the LDS Lakeridge 8th Ward, 80 West 900 South, Orem, with a funeral service to follow at 12:00 noon in the chapel. A graveside service and interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the Orem City Cemetery, 1520 North 800 East, Orem.
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