Carlos Sivern Nielson

Carlos Severin Nielson passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 28, 2017 at 97 years old.

Carlos was born on April 7, 1920 in Goshen, Idaho to Oliver and Astrid Nielson. He was the fifth of eleven children. He attended grade school at Goshen and graduated from Firth High School. During his youth, he worked on his parents’ farm and played trombone in the family band.

He married Donna Smith on March 26, 1943 in the Logan LDS Temple. They were married for 74 years.

Carlos worked for the Pacific Fruit Express Railroad at Shelley and Burley for 7 years and then started farming with his Father-in-law (Francis T. Smith). Along with other family members they developed 400 acres in the Lava beds north of Rose and were among the first to drill deep wells for irrigation in 1949. He purchased an additional farm in Shelley, and built a home there in 1953. During 60 years of farming, he produced a variety of crops, raised dairy cows and other livestock.

Carlos was a member of the Snake River Irrigation District board for 47 years and served as the elected president for 40 years. He was nominated to the Idaho water users “Hall of Fame” in June 2004. In addition, he has participated in a number of community events and organizations including the Shelley Riding Russets, Idaho Appaloosa Association, and he coordinated the horseshoe-pitching contest at Shelley Spud Day celebrations for 18 years. Carlos & Donna were also the Grand Marshalls of the Spud Day parade.

Carlos enjoyed owning and riding good horses. One of his horses (KeyBar) set a track record at Billings, Montana. He started golfing at the age of 60 and played every week during the summer months. He shot an 83 on the golf course at the age of 83 and he hit a hole in one the same year. Carlos served in the Bishopric and many other church positions. He served with his wife in the Idaho Falls Temple for 12 years, which was one of his favorite callings.

He is survived by his wife Donna and his 5 children: Dean (Liz) Nielson of Idaho Falls, Carma (Norm) Stanley, of Shelley, Donetta (Wayne) Knight, of Provo Utah, Steven (Lauri) Nielson of Shelley and Jill (Cary) Holverson of Ammon. 23 grandchildren and 38 Great- grandchildren and 3 great- great grandchildren, one sister, Nancy Nielson and one brother Marvin Nielson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, eight siblings, and two grandchildren Jeffrey Nielson and Mark Corbeil.

Funeral services will be held 11 am. Monday, May 1 at Shelley 5th Ward with Bishop Ray Jensen officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Nalder Funeral Home and again from 10 to 10:45 at the church prior to services. Interment will be in Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery.