Marilyn Anderson Nielsen

Marilyn Anderson Nielsen, 90, of Lehi, Utah, passed away peacefully on July 26, 2026.

Marilyn was born on April 9, 1936, in Lehi to Evans L. and Liliane Pernoux Anderson, and Lehi remained close to her heart throughout her life. Raised on her father’s dairy farm, she began working at the State Bank of Lehi when she was just fourteen. She was crowned Utah Dairy Princess in 1957—a fitting title for a farmer’s daughter who did everything with grace.

She married her high school sweetheart, Don Nielsen, after attending Brigham Young University and waiting faithfully for him while he served in the Swiss-Austrian Mission. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on March 18, 1959, and together raised eight children. Don preceded her in death on October 8, 1990, and she carried on faithfully without him for more than three decades.

A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Marilyn served in many callings, including as stake Relief Society president. She was perhaps best known, however, for her remarkable musical gift. She began teaching piano at seventeen and served as an accompanist for many, many years. Music was woven so deeply into her that, near the end of her life, when many of her memories had faded, she could still sit down at the piano and play.

Marilyn gave generously to her community, supporting many local endeavors, including parade floats and historical monuments. Later in life, she sewed innumerable humanitarian quilts. She also poured herself into the Lehi High School music programs, famously helping organize the hand-sewing of new uniforms for the entire marching band on its way to a state championship. In later years, Marilyn loved attending girls’ volleyball and basketball games. She was an active member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers and served as director of the Lehi Senior Center from 1990 until her retirement in 1996.

She is survived by her children, James (Mary), Evan, Donalyn (Joe) Ford, Kris (Suzanne), Maria (Ron) Farley, John (Julia), Mark (Tiffany), and Mathew (Kathy); 40 grandchildren; and 76 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; her parents, Evans and Liliane Anderson; her brothers, Ralph, Blaine, and Melvin Anderson; and her daughter-in-law, Lena Gaye Nielsen, wife of Evan.

Funeral services will be held on August 1, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Dairy View Ward Chapel, located at 1631 East 900 North in Lehi. A closed-casket viewing will precede the funeral from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., with interment following the funeral at the Lehi City Cemetery.