Jack Wilde Nielson

Jack Wilde Nielson, 78, passed away peacefully at his home in Pocatello, Idaho on May 5th, 2025. He was born on August 23, 1946 in La Grande, Oregon to Vernal and Dora Nielson, the second of four children. He grew up in idyllic Union, Oregon with his three sisters, Cavell, Rhea, and Shelly. He enjoyed playing basketball, participating in track, and playing the saxophone. He graduated from Union High School with a Senior class of 27 students, most of whom had been his classmates since the 1st Grade.

After graduation, Jack served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand, the same mission his grandfather had been called to in 1898. When he returned home from his mission, Jack married Benita Thompson in the Idaho Falls Temple, and they moved to Eugene, Oregon so he could pursue a degree in geology from the University of Oregon. In 1970, he was hired as a geologist at the J.R. Simplot phosphate mine and moved to Pocatello, where they raised seven children, Trevor, Sally, Rebecca, James, Laura, Karen, and Susan. The kids loved to share in their dad’s interest in geology, and would constantly bring him rocks to identify. The family joke was that he usually told them they were “leaverites,” which meant “leave ‘er right there.” Throughout his life, he loved to visit areas of interest and teach his family about the geological features around them.

Jack was an avid learner and a voracious reader. He often expressed the feeling that there was so much to learn in life and so little time. He especially loved to read about history and science, and he was quite knowledgeable about pretty much everything.

After retiring, Jack and Benita moved to their mini-ranch, where they raised chickens, rescued stray cats, and made pets of the local deer. He loved to be outdoors and to go for walks in the hills with his faithful pal, Maggie. Throughout his life, Jack was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served God and others in whatever way he was needed. He had a generous heart and was an inspiration to family and friends.

Jack is survived by his sweetheart Benita, and his children, Trevor Nielson, Sally (Del) Symons, Becky (Dave) Phillips, James (Mauria) Nielson, Laura (Tyson) Wall, Karen (Rob) Reed, and Susan (Tucker) Bloxham. He is also survived by his sisters Cavell Kikel, Rhea Smith, Shelly (Bob) Davidson, 21 wonderful grandchildren, and five beautiful great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernal and Dora Nielson, his daughter-in-law, Marijane Nielson, and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law who were great friends throughout his life.

Friends and family are encouraged to honor Jack’s memory by enjoying a really good hamburger and a soft-serve ice cream cone, which were his favorite treats. If you also tell a few dad jokes, he would be so proud! He was always quick with a witty remark or pun and kept his family laughing.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, May 27th, at the Riverside Ward, 225 Oakwood Drive, with Bishop Ryan Sargent conducting. A family viewing will be held at 10:00 am prior to the services. Burial will follow at Inkom Cemetery, 3303 N Rapid Creek Rd, Inkom, ID 83245.