Judy Louise Nielson

Judy Louise Palmer Nielson died peacefully the evening of January 5, 2026 after a 20-year struggle with dementia. Judy was born to Alma Charles Palmer and Edna Merle Pugsley on November 5, 1944 in Brigham City, Utah. She grew up in Park Valley, Utah and attended grade school in a one-room school house with many of her cousins. Her family lived in Salt Lake City where she attended junior high. They then moved to Tremonton where she graduated from Bear River High. There she gained many lifelong cherished friends. As a sophomore she met her high school sweetheart, Jay. They were married on June 14, 1968 after Jay returned from Vietnam. They were sealed in the Logan Utah Temple on June 14, 1970.

Judy attended Utah State University and graduated from LDS Business College. She greatly enjoyed her first job at Mountain Bell telephone company. She transferred to the Logan office where she became supervisor of the customer service department. After raising her children, she returned to work at Utah State University where she later retired. While employed at the university, she spent her lunch breaks attending classes at the Logan Institute of Religion. She graduated from the Institute three different times.

Judy was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved her Savior Jesus Christ and served him faithfully her entire life. She served in many Stake and Ward callings. She particularly enjoyed working with the youth. Judy had an enduring passion for family history. She loved her ancestors and performed extensive work for them. She compiled two hardbound histories of her Pugsley and Kunzler ancestors. She dedicated herself to completing more than 750,000 records for the Indexing Program of the Church. She also served a mission with Jay as record preservation missionaries in the Oklahoma, Iowa, and Indiana missions. In 18 months, they photographed more than 500,000 records that were added to the church archives for those trying to find their ancestors. They also enjoyed serving together for four years as officiators in the Logan Temple.

Judy’s greatest joy in life was her own family, where she was instrumental in creating many wonderful memories while camping in Yellowstone and throughout the western United States. She guided numerous long and short family vacations. Among her most cherished memories was a cross-country train trip to Disney World and a return visit to Columbia, Maryland, where the family had lived in earlier years. In her later years, Judy and Jay thoroughly enjoyed traveling and dining together with family and close friends.

Judy loved her extended family. She cherished memories with her many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her most beloved place in the world is Park Valley, Utah. Judy never tired of recounting her favorite memories of Park Valley, including her time spent with her dad at his sheep camp, playing around the pond with her cousins, and shearing sheep at Dove Creek. At the age of 8, she took great pride that she was the first person baptized in the new Park Valley baptismal font.

Judy is preceded in death by her parents, brother Roy (Janet) Palmer, and sister JoLayne (Vaughn) Korth.

Judy is survived by her sweetheart, Jay L Nielson, her five children: Jason L (Jen), Alma “Wade” (Jenny), Amber Louise (Wayne) Myers, Jessica Pearl (Curtis) Cooper, Jeffrey Jay (Kristina), 17 (and soon to be 18) grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Amber (Kerry) Johnsen.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 10th at 11:00 AM at the North Park 4th Ward Chapel located at 42 West 200 South in Hyde Park. A viewing will be held on Friday evening from 5:00-7:00 PM at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E Center St. in Logan, and from 9:30-10:30 AM prior to the funeral at the church. Following the service Judy will be buried in the Garland, Utah cemetery.

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com.