Susan Martha Wilson Nilson
1949 — 2024
Susan Martha Wilson Nilson returned to her loving Father in Heaven after a valiant battle with Parkinson’s on August 23, 2024. Susie was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, aunt, sister, friend, and she embraced her role as “Gransie.”
On May 6, 1970, she was sealed to her true love, and eternal companion, Bruce Nilson, in the Salt Lake Temple. They were married for 54 years and were blessed with five children; (Miller) Jennie Atagi, (The late Richard) Julie Hendrickson, Josh (Heidi) Nilson, Jed (Heather) Nilson, Jake Nilson. She was also blessed with fourteen grandchildren and their spouses, with one grandchild on the way. They raised their family in Uintah Highlands.
Susie’s life’s greatest work was being a mother. She loved her family more than anything. She found joy in the womanly arts of homemaking. “If it is worth doing, it is worth doing well.” She kept an obsessively clean home and knew how to run the iron. She allowed kids’ friends to live with them and treated them like family. She always pushed for the best, requiring good grades, and talents such as piano playing, musical instruments, singing, and was motivational in her desire for perfection. She always provided warm meals, clean clothes, and love to all her kids.
Her children’s happiness and success were her main priorities. She volunteered with the PTA, assisted in school elections, and quietly tolerated a truck being completely dismantled in the garage and driveway. She was encouraging of whatever pursuit or passion her children had and was their biggest cheerleader. She adored paintings and artwork illustrated by her family.
Susie’s cooking was a unique blend of healthy ingredients and appetizing aromas. Her lavish weekly Sunday dinners were culinary masterpieces, and if necessary, she could craft something fabulous with whatever was in her fridge. Her infamous chocolate chip cookies were passed down to two generations and melted in the mouths of countless consumers. Her use of flavor was not surpassed by the presentation of dishes and her passion was an art. She treasured feeding those she loved and they usually went away with a treat.
Susie was a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, and she made countless memories with the Twisted Sisters, her walking ladies, her Book Club, The Ladies, and her Sewing group. Her friendships were deep and rich, and she enjoyed the company of everyone she interacted with. They enjoyed many hours of laughs and tears, and she is a better person for knowing them.
The annual trips to Hawaii and Mexico with her family were the highlight of her year. Whether she was eating a piece of Ted’s macadamia nut cream pie, or walking hand in hand down a secluded beach as the sun peaked the horizon, her grandkids were always near. The girls’ trips with her daughters and granddaughters brought them to all areas of the country. Magnolia was a hit and they’re still drying from the torrential rain. She loved the many outings to Lake Powell and shared those experiences with many family and friends. Susie was a talented slalom skier and offered the opportunity to countless people. Her ability to pull the boat on the trailer made other boaters’ husbands jealous.
She had a flare for making things beautiful. She loved Christmas, both materialistically and spiritually. Every Christmas decoration was deliberately positioned in its place, and nativity scenes were collected from all over the world. Each one of them had a story and were dear to her heart. She thoughtfully decorated many trees for the Festival of Trees and served on the board. Every holiday was given proper attention and meticulous ornaments that beautified the home. Many traditions were observed: the trivia reading on Christmas Eve, fried rice in a pumpkin on Halloween, Swiss Days, shopping day on Black Friday, the grandkid Christmas party, the 24th of July parade, and themed dinners for every holiday. Extended family Christmas parties at Rush Complex were a gift to her loved ones and she held dear the relationships with her nieces and their families.
Susie loved decorating. Her business, Susie’s Design, allowed her to express her creativity designing the interior and exterior of homes. She unselfishly chose a career as a mother over a career outside the home until the children were older. She beautifully decorated model homes for their company, Nilson Homes, and was honored with Parade of Homes recognition. With her affinity for, and love of the craft, she especially enjoyed arranging homes for her family and friends. Her unique imagination provided synergy to the home, merging every room’s unique style and characteristics with the exterior treatment perfectly. She loved the home that Bruce built, and it went through many remodels. The baseboards were always clean, and furniture rarely got sat on more than a few times before they disappeared and a new one arrived. She loved going to various interior design shops throughout Salt Lake and Utah counties, coming back with various foliage followed by lunch at Plates and Palates.
Her decorating did not end with the house. Susie had quite the green thumb. Many trips to nurseries all over the state provided various exotic and accompanying bushes, trees, and flowers, that made a colorful landscape in her yard. Flowerpots dotted the property, with vibrant colors blooming in the sun. She always knew the names of the plants and arranged them to complement their space. She entertained nature and hummingbirds were her favorite.
Susie was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many callings including Stake Young Women’s President, Relief Society Branch Secretary, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and she proudly ministered to others for over 50 years. Her love for the Savior was her foundation and she prioritized the temple and attended frequently. She supported Bruce in his callings as Bishop, Stake President, and Branch President as it took him away from his other duties. She cherished the scriptures and was eager to share them with family. She always made her testimony known and yearned to feel the spirit. She served in many youth callings and loved working with the young women, sharing her talents and being an authentic example of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Bruce and Susie were divinely connected. Their love for each other grew into a devoted, loyal family that played, vacationed, and worshipped together. Bruce patiently tackled items on her chore list and always respected her pursuits. They traveled the world together returning to Bruce’s mission place of Australia. They floated in the salty Red Sea and explored the sacred sites in Jerusalem. She tasted genuine Italian cuisine and overlooked Paris from the Eiffel Tower. They rode the bullet train in Japan, navigated the streets of Hong Kong, and tried the food in mainland China. New York Broadway plays were her favorite and many unauthentic handbags were purchased. They learned the cultures and partook of the beauties of Malaysia and Sri Lanka. They were able to pick up their missionaries and meet the people they loved.
She was proud of the business Bruce built, Nilson Homes, and was blessed by its success. She was honored to be a part of his many accolades and supported the requirements of running a business. Bruce provided much for the community and Susie was a helpmate to him. They helped those in need through various projects and donations such as the Have a Heart Homes, and the Food Pantry at Bonneville High School, and Susie’s values and judgements played a huge role in those they served.
Being Gransie was one of her greatest callings. Seemingly endless hot tub soaks, talent shows, sleepovers, dinner dates, nighttime golf cart rides, and vacations were shared frequently. Her infinite love for her grandkids was expressed not only through words but time spent together. She loved watching football games, baseball games, and tennis matches. She attended many basketball games, and dance recitals, and fervently cheered for her family at any activity they participated in. Her exquisite quilts that she sewed will be a most cherished keepsake to all her grandkids. After sleepovers, baking in the morning with the grandkids was a popular activity and no one left unsatisfied.
Anyone that knew Susie loved her. She will always be an example to those she loved, served, and cared for, and we will miss her dearly. She met her Savior with open arms and the memories and treasures she has left us are a token of her endless love. She never wavered in her faith and leaves a legacy of her love and testimony of Jesus Christ.
The family would like to thank all the dedicated caregivers who showed so much charity during their service to her. Their attention to detail and true concern for her well-being was a blessing in her and our lives. You will be blessed for your service and are an example of Christlike love.
Interment, Uintah City Cemetery, 1500 E. 6450 S., Uintah, Utah.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday Sept. 4, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Lindquist Layton Mortuary, 1867 N Fairfield Rd, Layton, UT. Family and friends may visit Tuesday September 3, 2024, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Lindquist Layton Mortuary and Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Lindquist Layton Mortuary prior to the service.
The services will be live-streamed and may be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of Susie’s obituary page at www.lindquistmortuary.com.
Condolences may be sent to www.lindquistmortuary.com.