John Clayton Nielson

John Clayton Nielson, born in Denver, Colorado on June 15, 1948, to Bessie Gladys Eckert of Nebraska and Ross Parley Nielson of Colorado, passed away at age 78, surrounded by family in his home in Driggs, Idaho, on September 3, 2026, after defying cancer for three years. John learned hard work and innocent pranks on his parents’ farm in Cedaredge, Colorado. He played first base on several baseball teams in the minors and colleges in Utah, earning A.S. and B.A. degrees. Partway through his college time, he served in the U.S. Army for almost three years, spending most of that time in Germany with the 78th Engineering Battalion as an atomic demolition expert. The local Germans got a kick out of the tall, blond American they nicknamed “John Wayne.” He completed his military time as a sergeant and spoke fondly of his time in Germany. He returned to his studies in Logan, Utah, where he met Nancy Frantz of Driggs, Idaho, whom he married on December 19, 1976. They moved with their first daughter to Illinois to work on a relative’s farm, welcoming another daughter while they were there. They returned to Utah, where John continued to work on farms and other jobs and welcomed their third daughter. Eventually, they made it to their true home Driggs, Idaho. They bought their own dairy cows and managed a farm north of town at the “Yellow House.” During that time, he also got to know the local farmers while sacking grain at the feed mill in town. Two more daughters and a son were born in that farmhouse. An industrial accident took a few fingertips and triggered a life change - moving the family to town to take over the Pines Motel from Nancy’s parents, who were ready to retire from the business they had grown since Grand Targhee opened. In this role, he and the family met travelers from all over the world who were here to experience the Tetons and Yellowstone. Throughout these years, the family found community and grew in faith at Teton Valley Community Bible Church and later at the Calvary Chapel in Driggs. John enriched the lives of many valley kids by coaching sports, and everyone loved watching his finesse at city league softball and basketball games. His “happy places” were Targhee with family, especially dressed up with Nancy in their faux-fur costumes and wigs, giving lift riders something to smile about; any patch of grass for golfing where he gave out mulligans as often as smiles; any hot springs he and Nancy could find; and anywhere he could dance with family - in the living room, driving down the road or at Music on Main. He was a man of honesty, patience, quiet strength, pure joy, kindness, gentleness and determination. To all who knew him, he exemplified a fulfilled life through his joy in marriage and fatherhood, his ability to make you laugh through the ups and downs, passion and love for life, and his delight in adventures with his best friend and wife, Nancy. He befriended everyone and made sure they knew that he valued the crossing of their paths. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; children, Andrea (Fortunato Quispe) Nielson of Driggs, Idaho; Ruth Nielson of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Leah Nielson of Waconia, Minnesota; Sarah (Jerry) Franco of Burley, Idaho; Diane (Trey) Phelps of Waikoloa, Hawaii; Ross (Gabbie Migrants) Nielson of Swan Valley, Idaho; his sister, Patricia Alden of Texas; his fifteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. The lives of all who knew John will be forever influenced because of the beautiful

impact of his life on theirs. A Celebration of Life memorial service is being planned for December 19, 2026, John and Nancy’s 50th wedding anniversary.