On Monday, January 26, 2009, Paul Joseph Nielson was taken home to our Father in Heaven at the young age of 26. His life was taken suddenly and unexpectedly while being treated for an unidentified illness at Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello, Idaho.

Paul was born on November 1, 1982, in Blackfoot, Idaho. Paul was an intelligent, curious, and good-natured child with a wonderful and vivid imagination. While attending Skyline High School, he also enrolled at EITC and became a Certified Nursing Assistant and raised enough funds to spend a month in Germany as a foreign exchange student.

Paul served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 2001 to 2003 in Brussels, Belgium, and Geneva, Switzerland.

Paul's gift for languages enabled him to work in the French speaking division of Melaleuca, where he saved enough money to return to France. Paul was also able to use his technical talents as an employee for Center Partners and Destinations Inn.

In 2007, Paul met the love of his life, Kimberly Anderson, whom he married that same year. His joy was added upon when they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Kira, now 6 months old. If Kim was the love of his life, Kira was the light. He lived with his young family in Pocatello, where he worked doing information technology support for Convergys and had just begun studying electrical engineering at ISU.

Paul is survived by his beloved wife and daughter, Kim and Kira Nielson of Pocatello; his mother and stepfather, Jane and Jay Shaw of Iona; his father and stepmother, Ken and and Heidi Nielson of Draper, UT; his brothers and sisters-in-law Scott and Melissa Nielson of Iona, Brad and Janette Nielson of Idaho Falls, Zachary and Brandy Nielson of Idaho Falls, and Steve and Jessica Nielson of Sandy, UT; and his sister Katelyn Nielson of Iona.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Laverne and Virginia Nielson of Idaho Falls, and Max and Lola Storer of Iona.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Alameda LDS 6th Ward, 930 E. Alameda in Pocatello, with Bishop Clint Bohney officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St. in Idaho Falls, and for one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be at 3 p.m. Saturday following the services in the Iona Cemetery, 4750 E. First St.

Online condolences may be sent to the family and a map to the church and the cemetery may be found at www.coltrinmortuary.com.

Paul's life was too short and he was taken too soon. He was a kind, gentle, and loving father and dedicated husband. He was a loyal son and brother, and his happy, carefree spirit and vivid imagination will be missed by us all.

Map and directions to the Iona Cemetery

Map and Directions to the Alameda 6th Ward Chapel