Michael Allen Neilson

Michael Allen Neilson passed away on January 16, 2026, after a courageous and dignified five-year battle with multiple myeloma and amyloidosis. He was 73 years old.

Michael was born on May 17, 1952, in Logan, Utah, to Jean and Allen Neilson. He was raised in Smithfield, Utah, where he spent his entire life and where his family has lived for five generations. Michael took quiet pride in his deep roots in Smithfield and carried forward the values of generations past, living a life marked by work, humility, frugality, organization, and dependability. He was known for being prepared, punctual, and thoughtful with both his time and resources. Michael believed deeply in honoring family, tradition, and community, and he lived those values consistently throughout his life.

Michael served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Netherlands, an experience that left a lasting impression on his life. He remained in contact with many friends he made there and developed a lifelong love for Dutch culture, especially tulips, which later became a cherished tradition in his own garden.

For many years, Michael worked as a travel agent with Morris Murdock Travel and American Express, arranging travel for corporations and individuals throughout Logan and surrounding areas. He was a true people person who valued conversation and personal connection. Through his work and daily interactions, he formed many lasting friendships. Michael especially enjoyed visiting with friends and neighbors and was always willing to stop and talk, making others feel welcome and remembered. He also enjoyed community events and parades, and in recognition of his involvement in and support of the Smithfield community—particularly the local library—he was honored as the Smithfield Outstanding Citizen in 2014 and later selected to serve as the Grand Marshal of the Smithfield Health Days Parade in 2025, experiences he deeply appreciated and enjoyed.

Michael deeply loved his family and expressed that love through steady presence and thoughtful acts of kindness. He made it a point to be there for birthdays, holidays, and special family gatherings. He was especially attentive to his nieces and nephews, ensuring that each one received a small treat or gift on birthdays and holidays as a simple reminder of how much they were loved. He found great joy in the company of family and friends and was always eager to support and encourage them in quiet, meaningful ways.

He had a special fondness for the holidays and found great joy in decorating, particularly at Christmastime. Michael loved putting up lights both inside and outside the home, and his Christmas tree was always filled with enough lights and ornaments that it seemed to nearly double its weight—a cheerful reflection of the care and enthusiasm he brought to the season. He preferred doing things in a traditional way and took time each year to send handwritten Christmas cards and letters, a small but meaningful gesture that reflected his thoughtfulness and care for others.

Michael found great joy in flowers, gardening, and caring for the things that grow. Each fall, he carefully planted tulip bulbs so they would bloom in the spring, a quiet tradition inspired by his time in the Netherlands. Throughout the summer, he tended a vegetable garden and filled his yard with flowers. In his retirement years, he continued to share this love by delivering flowers for The Plant Peddler in Logan, Utah, a role that combined his appreciation for beauty with his love of visiting with people. He also took care to ensure that family graves were visited and decorated with flowers each Memorial Day, honoring ancestors with care and remembrance.

Michael had a deep appreciation for music, theater, and the performing arts. He regularly attended concerts, musicals, and performances, particularly those of the Utah Festival Opera and the American Festival Chorus. In addition to being a devoted patron, Michael also provided travel arrangements for the Utah Festival Opera as a travel agent, combining his professional expertise with his love of the arts. He enjoyed sharing these experiences with friends and family and took quiet satisfaction in supporting the organizations and people he cared about.

Michael served faithfully in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a variety of callings, including as a stake clerk. He loved serving in the stake and had great respect and appreciation for the stake presidents and leadership with whom he worked. He especially enjoyed helping with stake duties, scheduling, assisting missionaries with their paperwork, and ensuring that stake conferences were well prepared, including making sure flowers were present when appropriate. He was known for his quiet reliability, willingness to serve, and dedication to fulfilling his responsibilities.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Jean and Allen Neilson; his brother, Dennis Neilson; and his grandparents, Martin and Annie Neilson, and Willis and Vivian Sheen.

He is survived by his brother, Craig Neilson (Mary Ann); his sister-in-law, Vicky Anderson; and his beloved nieces and nephews: Andrew, Jesse (Stephanie), Marisa (Alek), Tyler, Cody, and Ashley, as well as his great-nephews Dylan, Houston, and Liam.

The family expresses heartfelt gratitude to the many family members and friends who visited, reached out, and offered love and support during the past several months. The family is especially grateful to those who quietly and faithfully cared for Michael over the past five years, offering constant support, companionship, and help through countless appointments, hospital visits, and daily needs. Your devotion and sacrifice brought comfort, dignity, and peace during a difficult journey. The family also extends sincere thanks to the doctors and medical professionals who cared for Michael, with special appreciation to Dr. Bryan Huber, Dr. Kurt Olaveson, the hospice nurses, and the compassionate staff at Nelson Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, Michael would appreciate donations to either the Smithfield Public Library or the Smithfield Historical Society, 96 South Main Street, Smithfield, Utah.