Frank Louis Nilsen

Frank Louis Nilsen, passed away on April 14, 2015 at the age of 93. At the time of his passing, Frank was surrounded in love by family members. Frank was born on September 15, 1921 to Norwegian immigrants Guttorm Arthur Nilsen and Dagny Louise Lerdahl who were both young converts to the LDS church and immigrated to Utah in 1904 and 1908, respectively.

Frank was reared in the Nibley Park area and was a graduate of South High School. He loved growing up in the Nibley area because of the close association with many other Norwegian families who settled in the area. Frank was a man who was extremely generous throughout his life and was the type of person who would "give the shirt off his back" to those in need. He learned that principle and practice from his parents who constantly provided meals for less fortunate relatives and neighbors. There was always a pot of soup for those in need and strangers were always welcome in the Nilsen home. He also loved the Nibley area because of the golf course where he learned to play the game he loved and at which he excelled. After graduation from high school, Frank joined the Air Force and served in Africa and Italy during World War II with the 15th Air Force. After the war ended, he enrolled at the University of Utah where he graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. During his course work at the University of Utah, Frank's father suffered a stroke, was hospitalized and attended to by a beautiful young Cadet Nurse named Olive Tingey. Upon visiting his father, Frank fell in love with this young nurse as she fell in love with him and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 30, 1948. They had five children together, Dianne, Frankie Lyn, Carolyn, Robert and Jane. Frank and Olive were later divorced in 1993. Relatively soon after graduation from the University of Utah, Frank was recalled to active duty during the Korean War and was stationed in Japan for two years constructing airfields in Korea. Due to his tireless effort and outstanding results Frank was promoted to the rank of Colonel. After his return from Japan and Korea Frank was hired by Armco Steel, which coincided with the start of the Interstate Highway Program, which was one of the largest construction projects in the world. Frank spent thirty-five years with Armco and retired as the District Sales Manager for eight Western States.

Frank was an avid golfer and won many golf tournaments in various states. He was an optimistic and good-natured man who rarely, if ever, complained regardless of the difficulty of the situation. He loved his children, grandchildren and great grand children who loved him greatly in return.

He is survived by his son Robert Tingey Nilsen (Kathleen); four daughters Dianne Knorr (Kenton), Frankie Lynn Nilsen, Carolyn Crawford (Thomas), Jane Winkel (Von); 23 grandchildren; and 44 great-grandchildren. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, wife Olive, and his siblings, Evelyn, Art and Roy.

A visitation will be held on Friday, April 17th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Winder 11th Ward of the LDS Church located at 950 East 3825 South, Salt Lake City. Funeral services will be at the same location on Saturday, April 18th at 10:00 a.m. with a family visitation at 9:00 a.m. Interment will be at the Utah Veterans Memorial Park, 17111 S. Camp Williams Rd, Bluffdale. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Frank's name to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate