Jacklyn Utley Blythe Nielson

Jacklyn Utley Blythe Nielson, affectionately known as Jackie, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada, surrounded by her loving family. At the age of 80, Jackie had been a longtime resident of Sevier, Utah, and was born in Richfield, Utah, on October 26, 1944. Born to Ida Cloe Jolley and Charles “Jack, Chuck" Ruttan, Jackie was lovingly raised by her cherished Dad, Merrill Gardner "Doc" Utley. She graduated from Granite High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1962.

Jackie's life was marked by love and family. She married Joseph Daniel Blythe on September 26, 1962, in Elko, Nevada, later solemnized in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. They welcomed three children: Robin Stephanie Blythe, Shevelle (John) Peterson, and Joe (Marcyne) Blythe, and she also opened her heart and home to foster children Diane Tsosie Thomas and Ambrose Tsosie. After Joe's passing, she found love again and married Gary Farlund Nielson on June 18, 1983, in Gunnison, Utah. Through this marriage, she gained step-children Janet (Wayne) Aiken and Bob Nielson.

Jackie was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in various callings throughout her life. She dedicated her time and talents to furthering the work of the Church. Her final and favorite calling was as the historian for the Joseph Ward, where she meticulously documented its history and events.

Jackie was raised alongside her sisters, Merlene Utley (Duane) Cook and Tanya Utley Marr, and her brother Wesley Utley. Her passion for genealogy led her to connect with four more sisters: Toni, Arleen, Sandi, and Brenda Ruttan. Later in life, she found new brothers in Allan Gramando and Robert Gramando.

Following the passing of her first husband, Jackie, with the support of her parents, built the Flying U Country Store in Joseph, Utah. Opening its doors in July 1981, she dedicated over 40 years to running the store with the help of her family, until her health no longer permitted. Jackie had a deep passion for gardening, finding solace and joy in spending her days in the flower beds. She dedicated countless hours to planting, nurturing, and caring for a vibrant array of flowers, cacti, and other beautiful plants. Her garden was a testament to her love for nature and a haven that attracted colorful butterflies and hummingbirds, filling her days with their presence.

Beyond her garden, Jackie found great pleasure in the beauty of Lake Powell, enjoying water skiing and creating cherished memories with Gary, her kids, and grandkids. Rockhounding trips in the motorhome with Gary and her grandchildren were also among her treasured pastimes. Jackie spent hours with her grandchildren watching her favorite movies such as Jaws, Star Wars, and Jurassic Park. She was a true Trekky at heart. One of her greatest joys was creating magical cultural parties for her grandchildren, crafting cherished memories through months of dedicated effort, sewing elaborate costumes, learning and sharing ancient traditions, and building the games that made each celebration unique and unforgettable.

Jackie was also engrossed in genealogy, a love she cultivated from a young age with her Grandma Jolley at the genealogy library. She cherished traveling the country in her motorhome with her husband Gary, making it a goal to visit all 50 states, an impressive accomplishment she completed. These travels often intertwined with her passion for genealogy, as they visited numerous cemeteries and libraries for research and explored many historical sites, further enriching her understanding of family history.

Jackie is survived by her children Shevelle (John), Joe (Marcyne), Janet (Wayne), and Bob; her 12 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; her sister Merlene (Duane) Cook; her uncle KB Jolley; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husbands, Joseph Daniel Blythe and Gary Farlund Nielson; her daughter Robin Stephanie Blythe; her foster-children Diane Tsosie Thomas and Ambrose Tsosie; her siblings Tanya Utley Marr, Wesley Utley, Robert Gramando, Allan Gramando; her mother Ida Cloe Jolley; her father Charles “Jack, Chuck” Ruttan; her dad Merrill Gardner “Doc” Utley; and her biological father Louis Ferdinand Gramando.

Please join the family for interment and a celebration of Jackie's life on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Elysian Burial Gardens, 1075 E 4580 S, Millcreek, UT 84117. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com