Patti Ann Mortensen Nielsen

Patti Ann Mortensen Nielsen was born December 18, 1950 in Mesa, AZ. She was the first born child of Max Eldon Mortensen and Ileen Wilkins and loved being the oldest of seven children. Patti graduated from Mesa High in 1969, attended beauty school, and graduated Mesa Community College with an Associates Degree. She met her husband Larry William Nielsen at a wedding reception in Ridgecrest, CA and dated him long distance while she was living in Utah. They were married and sealed in the Mesa Arizona Temple on March 24th, 1978. They lived and raised their four daughters in Kern Valley, CA before moving to Thatcher, AZ in 1997.

After Larry passed on, Patti moved back to Mesa to be near friends and family.  Patti considered EVERYONE she met a friend and actively worked to find the good in all people. She would chat up her best friends and someone she just met at the neighboring table in the exact same way.

Patti passed on her lifelong love of learning to her children and grandchildren and taught them to ask questions and seek truth in all areas of their lives. Music was important to her and she made sure her family was surrounded by uplifting music that was not only beautiful but taught lessons on how to live a Christ-centered life.

Patti served in many different callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout her life. Some of her favorites included ministering as a ward missionary, librarian, and in the Primary. She always considered herself a missionary and shared gospel truths with everyone she met. She loved her Savior and sought to help others want to know Him because of the way she lived her life. We know she’ll continue that work in heaven.

She is mourned by her four daughters Joi (Jared Wilson), Karla (Paul Waite), Lisa Nielsen, and Juli (Daniel Crowder); her fourteen grandchildren Kaylee, Caiden, Gavin, and Rachelle Wilson; David (Michelle), Maleen, Radon, Emilee, Sarea, Rani, Miriam, and Stella Waite; Maizy and Shae Crowder; and her siblings Kerry (Tammy), Ron (Shirley), Jerry, Joey (Vanessa) Mortensen, Penny (John Sweigart), and Peggy (David Dargie). She was welcomed into the eternities by both her parents, her husband, and her brother Joey.

Bunker Funeral home in Mesa, AZ helped facilitate the graveside service held at Mesa City Cemetery Heritage Garden on December 10, 2020. A memorial service will be held at 11 am on December 26, 2020 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint Chapel at 2647 South Signal Butte Road, Mesa AZ. A virtual meeting link will be available for those unable to attend in person.