Sara 'Dalice' Atkinson Nilson

Sara Dalice Atkinson Nilson, 81, passed away on January 15, 2024. She was born May 10, 1942 to Orlando and Agnes Atkinson and was the youngest of 5 children. Her stepfather was Harvey Merrill.
Dalice grew up in Hyrum and graduated from South Cache High school in 1960. She met Doug Nilson while dragging Main in Logan and took him for a ride in her brother’s new Ford Fairlane. They were married April 22, 1961 and made their home in Smithfield Utah where she helped Doug on the farm. She loved animals and had dogs, pigs, cats, cows, sheep, and chickens as pets.
Dalice and Doug have three children - one son and two daughters.
Along with the farm work, Dalice also worked for the Del Monte plant in Smithfield and later as a lab manager for the Dairy Herd Improvement Association.
Dalice started the local chapter of the Star Trek Club in the spring of 1991. She brought people together and developed lost lasting friendships. The club is still active after three decades.
She was a member of the Cache Valley Computer Club and was featured in a 1986 Herald Journal article for her love of computers. In the article she said, “I think we should make a point of getting all of our children involved in computer use.”
Dalice had many hobbies and interests including Star Trek, computers, comic books, movies, music, Dungeons & Dragons, and World of Warcraft. She was a fun, happy person who enjoyed making friends and helping others.
Dalice is survived by her husband Doug, son Randy (Susan) Nilson, daughters Angie (Jim) Gregory and Tammy Jenkins, grandsons Brandon Timothy, Jeremy Timothy, Erik Nilson and Andrew Nilson.
She was preceded in death by her siblings and their spouses: Darrell (Carol) Atkinson, Renee (Glen) Hulse, Jerry (Carol) Atkinson, and LaDell (Linda) Atkinson.
Dalice’s family would like to extend a special thanks to Holly from Hospice and to all the staff at Autumn Care for their help and kindness with Dalice’s care.
Funeral services will be on Friday, January 19, 2024 at 12:00 pm at the LDS church (660 West 200 North, Smithfield). A viewing will be held on Thursday from 6:00-8:00 pm at Nelson Funeral Home (85 S Main St, Smithfield) and on Friday 10:30-11:30 am, at the church, prior to the service. Interment will take place at the Smithfield City Cemetery following the funeral service. There will be a luncheon at 2:00 pm at the church, everyone is welcome.