Aug. 24, 1925 ~ Jan. 3, 2021
Afton East Nielson, 95, left these earthly boundaries, entering her Heavenly home in the early morning hours of January 3, 2021 into the waiting arms of Heavenly Parents and a joyful reunion with her husband.
She was born, the first of five daughters, on August 24, 1925 in Oak City, UT to Clarence Howard and Leona Dutson East.
After graduation from Delta High School, she married her high school sweetheart, Robert A. Nielson, on October 23, 1944 in the Salt Lake Temple and were married for 75 years. They made their first home in Oak City, then on to Logan, while dad attended USU, eventually settling in Fillmore, where dad had secured employment as a teacher at Millard High. They would remain there for the rest of their lives, enjoying the association of the beauties surrounding them: family, friends, nature and all that filled their lives. They left a legacy of 5 children: Laina Anderson, deceased; Ralene (Robert) Stevens; Ranae (Neil) Stevens, Holden, UT; Dan (Genoveva) Nielson, Yucaipa, CA; and, Jilene Nielson, St. George, UT; and was blessed with 13 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. We were always a 'blessed' family to her.
Mom was a supportive and devoted wife to dad throughout his military service and the love they had for each other was tender and beautiful. She was fiercely loyal to a fault, in her belief in, and love for her family and friends. She found complete joy in those she loved most. She and dad would attend the activities of their children and extended the effort as grandchildren and even great grandchildren came into their life. She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in numerous callings in the different auxiliaries throughout her life, one of her favorite being a stalwart as a ward librarian for 20 years. She and dad filled a service mission at the Bishop's Storehouse and Home Storage facility for 12 years. Her favorite thing she loved to do was attend the temple. She never missed a night of reading scriptures, an article from the Ensign, and saying her prayers and we were privileged to participate in her personal walk.
Afton was blessed with a lovely yard. She loved her flowers, watching deer that frequented her yard as they grazed or just rested. She loved to read and do word search puzzles as long as her eyes allowed. Dad and Mom loved a road trip, often leaving the freeway on a whim to journey stretches of road unknown to them, garnering friends along the way. In later years, they would make a nightly trek from one end of Fillmore to the other. And their Trek continues.
Survived by her children and grandchildren, two sisters; Eldula Rawlinson and Jolene (Jerry) Revelli. Preceded in death by her husband, two sisters, Betsy and Arlene, a daughter, Laina, two grandchildren, Justin and Marcie; and, one great grandchild, Marcie Elizabeth.
We are grateful for our Hospice caregivers/family and it is hard to express the depth of love and appreciation we feel for their extended love and care for our mother and us; for Shauna, who advised in medical care and became part of us; for Jaqui, who came when needed; Doug and Charlie who brought optimism to lighten our days; for Christie and Alexia who had the hands of angels; Lori, who went above and beyond to help our family; and, Dr. Brown with his wisdom and strength.
An immediate family only service will be held Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 11 a.m. at the Fillmore 1st Ward Church. Interment in the Fillmore City Cemetery where the public is welcome. Services can be watched live at rasmussenmortuary.com link in her obituary.
