Stanley K Nielson

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Stanley K Nielson, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2026, at the age of 83. While he spent his final two months in Annabella, Stan’s heart and life were rooted in the community of Richfield, where he grew up, worked, and raised his family. Known affectionately as "Hairbender" to his many clients and friends, Stan leaves a legacy of laughter, service, and a truly rare kind of love.

Born on September 14, 1942, in Richfield, Utah, to Phillip Vernal and Eldrie Irene Nielson, Stan was a proud Sevier County native. After graduating from Richfield High, he served for seven years in the Utah National Guard. A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Stan served a mission to the Northern States, where he developed a deep and lasting love for the people of Chicago. On February 26, 1965, he married his sweetheart, Frankie Shipley, in the Salt Lake City Temple—a partnership of 61 years built on a shared testimony and deep devotion.

After owning businesses in Salt Lake City and Murray, Stan followed his heart back to his roots. In 1974, he moved his family home to Richfield, wanting to be close to the family and the area he loved. Hairstyling was Stan's lifelong focus and passion. Whether he was at the chair in Stan’s Hairstyling or teaching the next generation at Sevier Valley Tech (Snow South), he treated every person with dignity and care. His professional expertise was recognized on both the State and National Boards of Cosmetology, and he took great pride in helping author a cosmetology textbook used to mentor students across the nation.

Stan was a man of the mountains. He was an avid hunter across all of Sevier County, but he held a particularly deep love for Monroe Mountain, where he enjoyed making memories with family. If he wasn't hunting, he was exploring the trails on his snowmobile or ATV, water skiing, or tending to his animals. He was a creator at heart, famous for his handmade wooden-handled spatulas (affectionately known as "Stan-tulas"), his garden, and his legendary dried apples. For years, he was also the "Voice of the Sevier Valley," announcing high school football and basketball games on the radio.

The heart of Stan’s life was his testimony of Jesus Christ. Everyone who knew him was aware of his deep faith, which he expressed through a lifetime of dedicated service in a wide variety of church callings and positions. While he was a mainstay in his local wards and served willingly wherever he was needed, some of the most meaningful highlights of his service included his years in the Bishopric, his time as a devoted Temple Worker, and his compassionate outreach through jail ministry.

Stan’s love was famously unconditional. He had a Christ-like ability to look past faults and see only potential, accepting his children and grandchildren exactly as they were while encouraging them to always better themselves. To his family, he was a steady, safe harbor—always ready with a hug, a joke, or a reminder that "a stranger was just a friend he hadn't met yet." He remained brave and positive through his recent battle with cancer, never complaining and always focusing on the needs of others.

He is survived by his wife, Frankie; children: Dick (Brenda) Nielson, Toni (Jim) Lamb, Misty (Bradley) Cornilles, Jay Dee (McKelle) Nielson, and Tammy (Travis) Pace; 27 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild; and his brothers, Dean and Steven (Patsy) Nielson. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Phillip Nielson, Enid Holt, and Pamela Bagley.

Cremation services will take place at Magleby Mortuary and Cremation Center. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 12:30 PM at the 18th Ward Chapel (800 N 500 E, Richfield). An Open House will be held prior to the services from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the same location. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina, and Manti.
An online guestbook can be found at www.maglebymortuary.com