Dawna Nielsen

Dawna Lavon Williams Nielsen, 97, passed away on February 23, 2024.

She was born at dawn on January 5, 1927, in Layton, Utah. Her parents were Geroge Albert and Annie May Vest Williams. She was the fourth child in a family of six. The older siblings were brothers, Acy and Neal, and a sister, Nellie. A younger sister, Emma Lue, and the youngest, Robert, came later.

At the age of three, her family moved to Malad, Idaho, where her father’s parents lived. The Great Depression had begun, and her father had a hard time finding work. Dawna and her siblings enjoyed living at their grandparents’ ranch. There were horses to ride, hills to climb, streams to splash in, and cousins to play with. However, in the winter, they moved into town and lived in rented homes so the older kids could go to school.

Dawna had fond memories of the time she spent in Malad. The 4th of July celebrations were always exciting as well as the Shirley Temple movies that only cost 10 cents (and to have 10 cents to spend in those days was something wonderful). Every year in August, a Williams Reunion was held. All the descendants of her great grandfather, John J. Williams, and his two wives, Jane and Mary, gathered together. It was something she looked forward to. She had so much fun with her cousins. They had good food, games were played, and there was a wonderful program where anyone who wanted to participate could do so. Dawna loved to hear the testimonies of the old folks as they told of the sacrifices her great grandfather and his wives made as they came by covered wagons and handcarts from Wales and England to the Mountain West because of their strong belief in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. These stories made a strong impression on Dawna, and they helped to build her own testimony. She loved to go to Sunday School and Primary. When she was 8 years old, she was baptized in the Malad First Ward font.

Dawna went to the first 3 grades of school in Malad. Then her mother took the children and moved back to Layton. The Depression years were hard times. Dawna finished grades 4-10 in Layton and Salt Lake City. At the age of 16, she moved to Vallejo, California where her father was living and working. World War II was raging and there was work at the Mare Island Navy Yard. Dawna worked part time and went to school part time until she graduated from high school.

Not long after her arrival in Vallejo, a relative of her brother-in-law offered to drive her around the area to see the sights. They picked up two hitchhikers (hitchhiking was common during the ware because gas was rationed). One of the young men asked Dawna where she was from. She told him Salt Lake City, Utah. Then he asked if she was a Mormon. When she said “yes” the young main said, “So are we.” When Sunday rolled around, Dawna was met at the church door by the two young men and several other young people in the ward. Her days in Vallejo were happy days, going to school, working part time and mingling with LDS friends.

The young man that asked her if she was a Mormon was named James R. Nielsen, and was called “Jay.” It wasn’t long until a romance bloomed between them. He was born and had lived in Preston, Idaho just over the hills east of Malad, so they had a lot in common.

They became engaged after he graduated from high school and had joined the Merchant Marines. He was soon sailing the Pacific Ocean on a Liberty Ship, taking supplies to the war zone.

When Dawna graduated from high school, it was necessary for her to return to Salt Lake City. The climate in the Bay area was too damp, and caused her to have severe asthma attacks. When the war was over, and Jay’s ship docked in San Francisco, he sent a telegram asking her to return to Vallejo. He wanted to get married, and in his words, “Soon.” The only trouble was, at that time, there were no temples in California. It was necessary to come to Utah for their marriage. When Jay went to the Bishop for a temple recommend, he told Jay that he was planning to call him on a mission. Jay told him had always planned on going on a mission, but he wanted to get married first. After all, his Grandfather Nielsen had served a mission after he got married. In fact, Jay’s father was born while Grandpa was serving.

Dawna and Jay were married on April 17, 1946, in the Logan temple. He left for the Eastern States Mission on July 4. Dawna was blessed to live with two other missionary wives. After 18 months, she was able to join Jay for the last six months of his mission. They have felt blessed all their lives for serving the Lord as missionaries. Never once did they ever feel it was a sacrifice.

Their testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ were always strong, and they served faithfully in all their callings. Their love for one another was also strong. They loved their children and strived to have a happy loving home. Dawna loved being a mother. She had five children: Harvey James, 1949, Lorin Williams, 1951, Mark Williams, 1953, Denise, 1954, Jay Williams, 1956. She was proud of her family and was happy to see them progress in their various activities and talents.

When the children were all in school, she worked out of the home in several places, but being a wife and mother was really all she wanted to be. Oh, how she loved being a grandmother! She loved them all and they loved her. She felt blessed with her large posterity.

Dawna was an active member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She researched and wrote many histories of her Pioneer ancestors. She also wrote some poetry.

She loved flowers inside and outside her home. She also loved to feed the birds and kept the bird bath full of fresh water.

Dawna spent many years as a care giver. She helped her father-in-law and took care of both of her parents. She gave constant dedication at the bedside of her beloved Jay. At his passing, they had been married for 66 years; 66 years of challenges and growing experiences and 66 years of eternal love.

She felt grateful that, during her years as a widow, she had the love and support of her family and friends. Denise and Mike gave her tender care during her last years.

She left us her thoughts in a Psalm:

My Psalm by Dawna W. Nielsen

Praise ye the Lord, Praise the Lord oh my soul, for the blessings I see now that I’m old.

For an eternal marriage, a husband who cares, the family we raised with priesthood and prayers.

For the challenges and problems that came to refine, all were solved in the Lord’s due time.

For “Joy in my Posterity” promised in earlier days is being fulfilled in so many ways.

Praise ye the Lord, Praise the Lord oh my soul, for the blessings I see now that I’m old.

For I have tasted the sweet fruit of “The Tree” and felt the joy of His Love.

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