Irene Nielsen

Irene was born in Rexburg, Idaho, in the home of her Grandpa and Grandma Pieper on November 10,1928, to John D. and Lucy Pieper Lusk. She was the second child, joining a brother, Clyde. Seven other children joined their family, Boyd, Bernice, Shirlene, Farrell, David, Gerald, and Vonda.

She grew up in Sugar City, Idaho. She had fun with her siblings, but as the oldest daughter was expected to help with the housework and take care of her younger siblings. She learned to cook, sew, do laundry, and take care of children, which were all assets in her married life.

She graduated from Sugar Salem High School and attended Idaho Falls Business College.

She met Robert "Bob" and they started dating. He was a teacher at Sugar Salem High School. They were married June 2,1950, in the Idaho Falls Temple. She made her own wedding dress. They started their married life in Logan, Utah, where Bob was attending summer school at the university. After summer school was over, they went back to Sugar City and Bob started teaching again.

They had their first child, a boy, Rulon Robert, on March 17,1951, and then a daughter, Cinda Lee, on September 11,1953.

Bob quit teaching school in the Spring of 1954, and the family moved to Idaho Falls. They bought a brand new home on August 18, 1954. They both lived there the remainder of their lives.

The family was joined by two more children, both boys, Kirk Allen on February 17, 1956, and Carl Lorenzo on July 3,1958.

Irene wrote, "We did not go without anything that was important to our health and welfare. We had our trials, but we passed through them in pretty good shape. There are still trials, and we are still working for perfection.”

Irene always loved going to church and serving her Heavenly Father whenever He called. She especially loved serving in the Idaho Falls Temple.

Irene was a stay-at-home mother and did an excellent job. She had many talents, and her home was a fun place to be in. She enjoyed her children, and later grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved to play board games with them.

Irene is survived by her son, Rulon Robert (Carole) Nielsen of Idaho Falls, ID; daughter, Cinda (Lee) Wilkins of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Kirk Allen (Susanne) Nielsen of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Carl Lorenzo (Gina) Nielsen of Auburn, WA; siblings, Boyd (Beth) Lusk of El Cento, CA, Bernice Lusk of Olympia, WA, Shirlene (Everett) Dayton of Rexburg, ID, Farrell (Ann) Lusk of Idaho Falls, ID, David (Verda) Lusk of Idaho Falls, ID, Gerald (Susann) Lusk of Saratoga Springs, UT, and Vonda (Robert) Snow of Troy, VA; 13 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren, with two on the way.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brother, Clyde Lusk.

A very special thanks to the staff at Lincoln Court Rising Stars Memory Care and Encompass Home Care and Hospice.

Graveside services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, August 20, 2021, at the Sugar City Cemetery.