Patricia "Pat" Nielsen Hardesty

Patricia Ann Nielsen Hardesty completed her mortal experience on February 22, 2022. She fought a courageous battle with Metastasized Breast Cancer in her bones for over two years. Yet, to the end, she had a twinkle in her eyes and a welcoming smile.

Pat is the fourth daughter of Lester Howard Nielsen (1913-1988) and Lucile Morris (1914-1973). She was born at the LDS Hospital in SLC. However, she was raised in Holladay at 2651 Valley View Drive. She attended Holladay Elementary, Olympus Junior High School, and Olympus High School. She graduated in 1970 when her husband was still in junior high school.

She graduated from the University of Utah in 1974 with a BS degree in Elementary Education. She taught at the Carden Memorial School starting in 1974. She left teaching to serve a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the South Dakota Rapid City Mission. Her areas were mainly in North Dakota.

While in college, she began working in the Genealogy Library in the old Montgomery Ward Building on Main Street. After her mission, she returned to the library. She worked there for 35 years. She retired in 2014.

In 1982, Pat was married to William David Hardesty in the Jordan River Temple. They made their home in the Hunter area of West Valley City. Unfortunately, they could not have children, which brought great sadness. However, Pat didn’t let such a trial define her life. She served as primary president in the Hunter 29th Ward and numerous other church callings, including serving in the Jordan River Temple. In addition, she often helped with children of bishopric members during sacrament meetings.

“And [Jesus} said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me …” (Luke 9:48)

With her husband, she served an additional three missions. They served at the State Prison in the Family Home Evening initiative. Pat and Bill served in Magna, UT, for four years as intercity missionaries helping people improve their situations. They also served a full-time proselyting mission in the Salt Lake City West Mission as Member Leadership Support missionaries.

After living in Hunter for 38 years, they moved to Summit Vista, a life plan community, in Taylorsville. This move brought them full circle because they met and lived a short time in Taylorsville, 40+ years ago.

Pat is survived by her husband and sisters – Jean Cole, Kay McCaughey, and Sue Birkinshaw. She has 35 nieces and nephews, 80 great-nieces and nephews, and 15 great-great-nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and other loved ones.

On Friday, March 4, there is a viewing at the McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road, from 6-8. Her funeral will be held at noon on Saturday, March 5, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stonewood Ward Chapel, 6030 South Prairie View Drive. A viewing before the funeral will also be held from 11:00 to 11:45.

Pat’s funeral will be on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83691601952?pwd=bjV6VThTdjN5NzZqTGdHTCsrNTNmQT09

The family would like to thank the staff of Encompass Hospice for their skills and kindness. In addition, thank you to the team at Utah Cancer Specialty and our long-time PCP, Dr. Douglas Newbold.

The family is asking that in place of flowers, you add beauty to the earth by planting a rose bush, Pat’s favorite flower, or invest in the future by contributing to the Summit Vista Student Scholarship Fund.