Anne-Lise Nelsen

Anne-Lise Andersen Nelsen passed away on October 7, 2021, in Murray, UT, at the age of 89. She died from natural causes surrounded by her loving family. Born in Skjern, Denmark, on December 23, 1931, she was the only daughter of Verner Henry Andersen and Harriet Lydia Mariane Nielsen.

Lise (pronounced Lisa) cherished her birth country Denmark with all her heart. During her younger life, she also lived in Hjørring, Aalborg, and her favorite - Copenhagen. But it was her deep love of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that brought her to the United States and, eventually, Utah.

Lise was a very strong, passionate, brave, and loving woman – even though her less than 5-foot petite stature would suggest otherwise. She and her family lived through Nazi-occupied Denmark during WWII and had many stories to tell. One incident occurred when she and her younger brother Bent (ages 11 and 6, respectively) were sent to retrieve a bucket of water. The German military had diverted all the local housing water to the local brewery for brewing beer, forcing Danish residents to retrieve water from a communal well. During Lise and Bent’s walk home, a German soldier thought it would be funny to shoot a hole in their bucket while she was carrying it. Luckily, she was not hurt. Lise and her family, like many others, endured many hardships during this difficult period.

She emigrated alone from Denmark when she was 21, leaving behind her parents and brother. They had not been cleared to travel to the US due to a mandatory medical waiting period. Lise had to go alone or risk not being able to go at all. She traveled with only one small luggage bag and $50. The trip to Ellis Island took six weeks by ship. This was followed by a week-long bus trip from Grand Central Station in New York to Salt Lake City, Utah, where she was received by her Uncle Julius and Aunt Margaret. Even though she took English classes before she left Denmark, she had difficulty understanding the language when she arrived and did not speak it very well. Over time, Lise became fluent and went on to be a proud, naturalized US citizen.

Lise met her soulmate, Lynn Allen Nelsen, on a blind date. Lynn was a very shy man (quite different from Lise, the social butterfly), but it was meant to be. When Lise opened the door wearing a blue dress, red shoes, and a ribbon in her hair, he knew right then that she was the one for him. It was love at first sight. Lynn would wait patiently until their third date before he popped the question. Lise was stunned but knew in her heart that he was the one for her as well, so she accepted his marriage proposal. Their brief courtship left each of their families little time to become acquainted, but both sides of the family quickly realized that theirs was a match made in Heaven.

After they were sealed to each other for time and all eternity through their marriage in the Salt Lake Temple on November 18, 1954, Lise and Lynn settled in Murray, Utah, where they raised their daughter and two sons. Lise and Lynn loved the beauty of Utah and spent many years traveling with their young family in the custom camper Lynn built. These were wonderful times, providing many fond memories and funny stories that live on.

Following Lynn’s retirement in 1992, they traveled throughout the eastern United States with Lise’s brother Bent and his wife Gayle. They visited many historical sites which are important in US and LDS Church history. They always looked forward to each new adventure and the great memories they would create together. One of Lise’s favorite trips was when she returned to her beloved homeland, Denmark, with her cousin Ane, 38 years after emigrating. They spent two weeks traveling throughout the country, visiting old friends, relatives, and locations from their childhood.

As a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, Lise had many passions. She always said the best years of her life were spent cross-stitching. For each of the beautiful, cross-stitched pieces proudly displayed in her home, she probably gave away five others to cherished friends and family members. She loved spending time with and being of service to her family. This was equaled by her great love and faith as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Lise served many church callings, including 20 years teaching Junior Sunday School and Primary, two years as First Counselor in the Relief Society, and many years of genealogy translation at the LDS Church Library in Salt Lake City. She always performed these duties with great love in her heart for her family, her church, and her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Lise was always a source of guidance to her family and, along with Lynn, the first to help those in need. She was deeply loved and greatly admired by her family and friends and will be dearly missed. We love you beyond words, Mom, and we look forward to being reunited someday.

Lise is survived by her daughter, LeeAnne Christiansen, son Lowell (Sherry) Nelsen, brother Bent (Gayle) Andersen, daughter-in-law Linda Nelsen, 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Lynn Allen Nelsen, son Loren Nelsen, son-in-law Joel Christiansen, and son-in-law Kerry Snarr.

A viewing will be held on Friday, October 15, 2021, from 10:30 am until 11:45 am at the Germania Ward (464 Germania Ave, Murray) followed by the funeral service at 12:00 pm. Following the service, Lise will be laid to rest at the Murray cemetery.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Dr. Joseph Nelson, Josiline, and the staff of Summit Home Healthcare, and especially Kim, Kylee, and Becky at Valeo Hospice for the compassionate, loving care and friendship our mother received.