Claire Nielsen

Claire Adolph Nielsen

May 1, 1929 ~ September 12, 2017

Claire Adolph Nielsen passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 in Ogden, Utah, while being held in the loving hands of his wife of 67 years, Shirley.

Claire was born in Logan, Utah on May 1, 1929 to Jonas Verner and Luella Baer Nielsen. He was the fifth of five children and grew to adulthood on a small farm in Hyrum, Utah where he learned responsibility early as the depression and his father’s work took his father frequently away from home. Claire loved horses and had a favorite pony in his youth named Jigs. Claire inherited a love for woodworking from his father, who was a finish carpenter, and became largely a self-made craftsman in woodwork (He would later craft his own office furniture as he launched his CPA firm), leatherwork, gardening, and generally all of the skills of a handy-man. He loved to work and had an unquenchable desire to better himself.

In 1947 Claire graduated from South Cache High School in Hyrum and enrolled in Utah State Agricultural College (Utah State University). He provided the means for attending college by working for the College as a custodian and in the bookstore as well as tending to the small family farm. He graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.

On June 5, 1950 Claire married his high school sweetheart Shirley Mae Mathews of Millville, Utah.  Shortly after graduation he began working for the public accounting firm of Bunker, Tanner Company when he was drafted into the US Army during the Korean War.  During 1952 and 1953 Claire served at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana and Fort Douglas, Utah where he was assigned to the Army Audit Agency. Upon being honorably discharged from the Army he returned to public accounting with the same firm then known as Tanner, Garrett, Boyce, and Parkinson. Claire passed the exam of Certified Public Accountants in 1956 and became a partner in the firm in 1961.

Continuing his quest, Claire launched his own CPA firm in 1966 and built a successful business where for 45 years he enjoyed serving and counseling his clients and friends. During his career, he served as Vice President of the Utah Association of Certified Public Accountants and in all offices, including President, of its Northern Chapter. In 2005 the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants named Claire an honorary lifetime member. He has been active in civic organizations including the South Ogden Lions Club and the Weber State University Wildcats Club. Claire was an active participant and supporter of the Boy Scouts of America and served for many years and in many capacities in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including Aaronic Priesthood Advisor, Assistant Scout Master, MIA Superintendent, and Stake Finance Clerk.  But within this full and active life, his greatest love, joy and pride are his partnership with his sweetheart, his children, and grandchildren, and the many friends and extended family encircled by his open arms.

Claire is survived by the love of his life, Shirley Mae Nielsen of Ogden, Utah; his children, Jeffrey Claire Nielsen, Riverdale, Utah; Steven Mathew (Claudia) Nielsen, Issaquah, Washington; Kathleen Nielsen (Craig) Wahlquist, Papillion, Nebraska; Kenneth Ray (Julie) Nielsen, Snoqualmie, Washington; and Dennis Martin (MeLisa) Nielsen, Ogden, Utah; 21 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his granddaughter, Kristen Marie Nielsen.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 18, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the South Ogden 5th Ward Chapel, 4380 Orchard Ave. Friends may visit with family on Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. and Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Primary Children’s Hospital at www.give-internationalfoundation.org/primary-childrens-hospital.