Monte Clarence Nielson, age 90, departed this life on August 29, 2026, surrounded by his family at his home in Oak City, Utah. Monte was born July 2, 1936, in Oak City, Utah, to Clarence and Dainy

Sheriff Nielson. He entered life welcomed by three brothers and five sisters. He loved his siblings and was very protective of his parents.

Monte grew up working with his father, raising cattle and crops. His life’s career was cattle and the land. He enjoyed riding for cattle and made many memories with other men and boys he rode with.

He enjoyed his lifelong career of farming and ranching, working with his dad and sons in the cattle business. He especially enjoyed working cattle and was proud of the time he spent with his family.

He was very involved in the Oak City Desert Association, the Oak City Forest Association, and the Oak Creek Irrigation Company. He served many years in each of these associations as president, secretary, and board member.

He enjoyed irrigating the crop land and watching the water running down the rows. You could find him leaning on his shovel to make sure all the dry spots got covered and the water was not running in the gopher holes. He mastered the art of dowsing (water witching). He had a talent for witching wells and blessed many people’s lives with this talent.

He attended and graduated from Delta High School in 1954. While in high school, he was active in the 4-H program and in his senior year played baseball on the high school team. After graduation, he attended BYU for one year and decided his greatest passion was his farm and cattle, so he returned home to Oak City.

He served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Northern California Mission. For approximately half of his mission, he spent time on the Owyhee Indian Reservation and loved the people he served. He served in many callings in the Church, with Sunday School, as executive secretary, and he loved working with the young men in the MIA program. This was a highlight for him. He was a lifelong home teacher and minister.

Returning from his mission, he joined the National Guard and was honorably released in 1967. He loved his country and was proud of the privilege to serve it.

He met and married Bonnie Jean Rimington on June 2, 1972, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Their union was blessed with five sons and one daughter. He felt his greatest accomplishment and joy in life was his family. With each new child, his love and joy increased. He was very proud of his children and his joy increased with each in-law, grandchild, and great-grandchild. His life was happiest when they would come to visit.

He was proud to share, in his later years, his hobby of coloring with colored pencils. He enjoyed sharing his pictures with family and friends.

His sense of humor and joy of making people laugh and be happy was contagious. His love of life, God, and family will be missed but never forgotten.

Monte is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Bonnie, his sons and daughter: Brian, Las Vegas, NV; Samuel (Cheryl), Oak City; Tyler (Tehra), Spanish Fork; Monica (John Anderson), Deseret; Lafe (Jenna), American Fork; and Camron (Melanie), Oak City. He is also survived by 20 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Dainy, three brothers, Fred, Wayne, and Vern; and five sisters, Blanche, Thelma, Phyllis, Enid, and Dorothy.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Oak City Chapel, 65 Center Street. A viewing will be held prior to the funeral from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.

Interment will be in the Oak City Cemetery, with military rites under the direction of Olpin Stevens Funeral Home.

There will be a livestream available at https://youtube.com/live/NwujTMvOI2w?feature=share for those unable to attend.