Michael Elwood Nielsen, of Ammon, Idaho, passed away January 6, 2026, at his home from complications of Pulmonary Hypertension and COPD.

Michael was born July 6, 1939, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Elwood Nielsen and Helen Larsen Nielsen. He graduated from Granite High School in 1957. He served in the U. S. Army Reserves, with active duty at Fort Ord, California, where he was trained as a clerk-typist and assigned to the base commander. He received his expert marksman badge with rifles. He served in the Swiss-Austrian Mission from 1959-1962, speaking German, part of the time serving as correspondence secretary to the mission president.

He met Vonnie Lee Schaefermeyer in Seward, Alaska, and they married in the Salt Lake Temple on May 31, 1963. For the next fourteen years, they divided their time living in Alaska and attending school in Utah, at BYU for one year and the remainder at the University of Utah, where he received a B.A. degree in Secondary Education in 1969 and a Master’s degree in Social Work in 1976. After working for the University Hospital in Utah and the State of Alaska in Ketchikan, he was employed with LDS Family Services as an Indian placement worker with Lamanite youth from the Dakotas, placing them in LDS foster homes for the school year. When that program terminated in 1984, he became a marriage and family therapist for LDS Family Services. He worked in Pocatello for two years, in Burley for ten years, and in Idaho Falls, Idaho, from 1989-2001, where he remained following retirement.

As a youth, Michael loved being a Boy Scout and served for many years as a youth leader and in his adult years. He was disappointed that sinusitis problems kept him from completing the swimming requirements to become an Eagle Scout; however, he was proud to have his four sons and seven grandsons become Eagles. In high school, he enjoyed being a member of the CAP (Civil Air Patrol), and he loved flying. In 1964, he and Vonnie were in the Alaska Earthquake, and membership in the CAP allowed him to accompany a rescue flight into Seward to check on both sets of parents to ensure they were safe. He enjoyed High School wrestling and being in the Spanish Club. He spent his summers and after school hours working for his father in general contracting. In Alaska, he worked in the fisheries, in a lumber mill, and for the Alaska Railroad. His later employment at McLaughlin Youth Center, working with wayward youth, led him into social work as a profession.

He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various ward and stake callings through the years. He especially enjoyed working with youth. He taught Sunday school and seminary, was a scoutmaster, served in a bishopric, and served as branch president in Ketchikan, Alaska. As a youth, he learned genealogical research with his father and developed a lifelong love for family history work. He was called as a veil worker several times; he and Vonnie served as ordinance workers, and they served a two-year mission in the baptistry of the Idaho Falls Temple. Michael had a devout testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and of the prophet Joseph Smith. He loved to read on a variety of topics, but especially The Book of Mormon. He often expressed gratitude for the atonement of Jesus Christ and for the principles of repentance and forgiveness. His favorite times were with his family, and he loved hiking, camping, and enjoying God’s creations. In later years, he most enjoyed seeing the beauties of nature through drives with his sweetheart and companion, Vonnie.

Michael is survived by his wife of 62 years, Vonnie Lee Schaefermeyer Nielsen of Ammon, Idaho; daughter, Kirsten (DelVon) Rice of Iona, Idaho; daughter, Helene (David) Thomas, of American Fork, Utah; son, Joshua Nielsen, of Pocatello, Idaho; son, Nathan (Lori) Nielsen, of Lehi, Utah; son, Kent (Stephanie) Nielsen, of Rigby, Idaho; son, Seth (Rosana) Nielsen, of Burley, Idaho; daughter, Genevieve (Kenneth) Clark, of Rigby, Idaho; brother, Jan (Patricia) Nielsen of Anchorage, Alaska; 27 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elwood and Helen Nielsen, a sister, Pamela Ross, and a brother, Dennis Nielsen.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the compassionate care provided by Solace Hospice.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 16, 2026, at the LDS Chapel located at 3000 Central Ave. Ammon, Idaho, with Bishop Follett officiating. The family will visit with friends at the viewing from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls, and from 10-10:45 on Friday before the services. Burial will be in the Ammon Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.coltrinmortuary.com.

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