Dixielee (Bailey) Nielsen

Our sweet loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, DixieLee Nielsen, 87, passed away at her home July 12, 2023, in Ammon, Idaho.

DixieLee was the oldest of four children born to Vivian and James K. Bailey in Wellsville Utah, on January 16, 1936. She married her high school sweetheart, Edward B. Nielsen, on July 15, 1952, in the Idaho Falls Temple. They lived in Twin Falls, ID; Ogden, UT; Boise, ID; and Pendleton, OR. She later moved to Ammon, Idaho, to live near her children.

Education was very important to Mom, and at the age of 65, she graduated with her Bachelor's Degree in Business Science from the University of Phoenix.

Mom and Dad spent many years running their Kentucky Fried Chicken and Arctic Circle franchises. She also worked for Pendleton Education District, Pendleton Hospital, and Ogden Blueprint Co. She received her Real Estate license in 1992, worked for the IRS, and Hill Field Air Base as a procurement officer, as well as a contract administrator under two Generals before retiring after 27 years.

Church, family, and music were very important to her. She received awards for homemaking, music, and drama. She served as MIA President, Primary President and counselor, Stake Primary Music Board, chorister, and temple worker. Mom always completed her callings with selfless service.

Surviving are her children, Edward B Nielsen of Ammon, ID; Randy (Janice) Nielsen of Rexburg, ID; Kathy (Dennis) Thyfault of Iona, ID; Tony (Carol) Nielsen of Rigby, ID; and Sherry (Michael) Wardell of Billings, MT. She felt blessed to have 15 grandchildren and 43 great grandchildren.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Brio Home Health and Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 21, 2023, at the Ammon 34th Ward, 4030 John Adams Parkway, with Bishop Christian Taylor officiating. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road, and Friday from 9:15-10:15 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Wellsville Cemetery, 400 North 200 East, Wellsville, UT.