Arah Dianne Nielson passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on September 10, 2017, after valiantly battling health issues for most of her life.
She was born on September 17, 1947, in Monticello, Utah, to Bud and Arah Corbin. She graduated from Monticello High School in 1965 shortly after marrying her sweetheart, Rye Nielson, in the Mesa, Arizona, Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is survived by her husband and their children: Shurrell (James) Meyer; Kim (Adam) Halliday; Ryan Nielson; Brandon Hellman; Uriah Nielson; Travis Nielson; Chad Nielson; Amanda (Mike) Duffy; 18 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother Dave (Silvia) Corbin; sister Collette (Lyn) Talley; brother Jeff Corbin; and many in-laws and nieces and nephews that loved her dearly. She had a special relationship with and love for each of her grandchildren. During her life she provided much love, support, strength, comfort and wisdom to her family and will be greatly missed by each one of them.
In 1967, she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and was told she would need to make the best of the short time she would have left. The doctors told her she would not live past 35. She loved a challenge and lived one week short of her 70th birthday. Whenever she was told something couldn’t be done, she did her best to make it happen. She was very hard to keep up with! She got the most out of life and was still working and making plans until her body finally gave out.
She owned several of her own businesses and worked as a telephone operator, in the medical equipment field, in advertising, economic development and finally as a real estate broker. She was awarded the Rural Business Woman of the Year award in 1994.
Dianne had many special talents and particularly loved to design, remodel and decorate homes. Her biggest undertaking was the Grist Mill Inn, which started as a dilapidated old building and became a beautiful bed and breakfast that she and Rye ran for many years. She loved to sew and make rag quilts which are special keepsakes for her family and friends. Her favorite color was rust and she loved to search for and collect antiques. She was also a wonderful cook and loved to make delicious meals for her family. She found great joy in serving others.
She loved the gospel and her savior, Jesus Christ, and though it was difficult for her family to let her go, we know that she is having a joyous reunion with her heavenly family and those that have passed before her and we find strength in the knowledge that we will be together again.
We will be compiling a book of memories for Dianne and would welcome any stories, pictures and recipes. They may be sent to: shurrellmeyer@hotmail.com.
Memorial services were held on Saturday, September 16, 2017. Interment was at the Monticello Cemetery.
