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Edward Nielsen

June 3, 1960 — June 30, 2024

Edward Scott Nielsen, retired boiler technician Chief with the United States Navy and Elma resident, set sail on his next step in his journey back home to our Heavenly Father on Sunday, June 30, 2024.

Scott was born on June 3, 1960, to E. Denny Nielsen and Deanna (Phillips) Nielsen in St. John’s, Arizona. Scott was raised in the wonderful town of St. Johns and spent summers on the family ranch working in the garden, bailing hay & clearing the road of rocks. He spent most of his childhood summers with Grandpa EZ Nielsen, working on the ranch and eating their favorite snacks. They would lunch on a can of corn and a can of Corned Beef, that they would share cold, straight out of the cans. Scott said he didn't think he ever enjoyed lunch more than these lunches with Grandpa. They would snack on a favorite drink of Orange Crush with salted peanuts. Grandpa (who had a nickname for each of us) always called him Scott Tamale!

Scott graduated from St. John’s High School in 1978. Shortly thereafter, he joined the United States Navy. Scott completed basic training in Chicago, staying stateside for a short while before being stationed all throughout Asia. While in Yokosuka, Japan, Scott met Mona Barriatos, little did he know that she would later become the center of his heart. They began a courtship, while Scott’s career took him to Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. Nine years later, on August 4, 1990, Scott and Mona married in St. John’s, Arizona. They then returned to Japan. Scott was deployed to the Gulf War while Mona stayed in Japan. After his deployment, Scott continued his career in the Navy, eventually promoting to Chief Petty Officer. Most of his work with the Navy was as a chief boiler technician on the ships. While later stationed stateside, he was stationed in New Orleans, where he was a Military police officer.

During his service he lived in Pensacola, FL, and Pittsburgh, PA, He was then ordered back to Japan. Throughout his career, he was assigned to the USS Knox, USS Lady Lex (Lexington), USS Midway, and the USS Independence. He served in the Gulf War & the Persian Gulf. His final station was at Bremerton Naval Base on the USS Carl Vinson.

Scott was also a Navy recruiter in Tacoma, He retired from the Navy in March of 2010. His commitment and dedication to the armed forces did not end there. He began working as a civilian on Joint Base Lewis McChord for both the United States Army and United States Air Force. He recently retired from the Base due to medical issues. One of the happiest events was in 2001 when Scott and Mona welcomed their first and only son, Aaron, into the world. Scott went back to school, obtaining an associate's degree in genealogy through an online program at BYU Idaho. He had a great appreciation for the outdoors, specifically when it came to hunting, fishing and camping. He savored his wife’s home, cooked Filipino dishes, and going out for Mexican cuisine. Scott loved getting his hands dirty, with grease up to his elbows working on cars. He enjoyed listening to his oldie's music. Above everything else, Scott was a devoted husband and father, he was a wonderful thoughtful man with a huge heart. His heart and soul went into his family. He adored his loving wife and was deeply proud of his son, Aaron. Scott loved to put on the song “Three Times a Lady," grab Mona’s hand and dance away. On their anniversary every year they would dance to " Darling, I Love You" by Classic Illustration. While he had a great singing voice, he would be the last to admit his talent. Spending quality time with all his family brought him the greatest joy in life. His family meant everything to him. Scott was a kind generous soul, with a warm smile, who loved deeply, and will forever be missed.

Scott is preceded in death by his parents: Edward Denny and Deanna Nielsen; brother, Darin Nielsen, Grandparents and Uncles, Aunt and cousins, and many dear friends. Scott is survived by his wife of 33 years, Mona Nielsen and son, Aaron Nielsen, who followed in his father’s footsteps and is currently in the Navy. Sisters: C. Jerrine (Brian) Hollien, of Erda, Utah; and Dennielle “Dolly” Patterson, of Eagar, Arizona; and many more family and friends who cherished Scott.

A Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 12th, 2024, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints chapel at 702 E Main St, Elma, WA 98541.

Viewing will be prior to services at 9:00am to 10:45am at the above listed chapel.

For Family & Friends there will be a zoom link for the service at: https://zoom.us/j/91201815877/

A graveside service will be held at Satsop Cemetery in Satsop, Washington. Please share your memories and condolences with the Nielsen family at www.fernhillfuneral.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Washington. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Edward Nielsen, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Service

Friday, July 12, 2024

Starts at 11:00 am (Pacific time)

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Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Elma

702 East Main Street
Elma, WA 98541

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Interment

The graveside service will be held at the Satsop Cemtery following the service.

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