Laurie Kaye Nielsen Beardall

Laurie Kaye Nielsen Beardall passed away peacefully at home in St. George, Utah surrounded by family on October 9, 2025, following a valiant battle with cancer. She was 73. Laurie was born on May 16, 1952, in Provo, Utah to Stan and Lois Nielsen. Among six children – 4 older sisters and one younger brother – she grew up in a home affectionately called “maniac mansion” – a home filled with love, laughter, hard work, and plenty of fun. From an early age, she learned the importance of service, compassion, and loyalty to loved ones. Laurie was energetic, outgoing, competitive, and a friend to all. She loved tennis, and later enjoyed golf, skiing, and boating. Cooking was one of her many passions and the kitchen was her “happy place.”

She married her eternal companion and sweetheart, Larry K. Beardall, in the Manti LDS Temple and together they raised 4 children in a home filled with love and happiness. A devoted mother, Laurie dedicated her entire life to lifting, teaching, and serving others – family, friends, and even strangers. She was involved with the PTA and took an active role in her children’s education and activities. Her greatest happiness came from supporting her grandchildren at their many games, recitals, and performances.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Laurie served in several capacities including Primary President, Relief Society President, Temple Ordinance worker, and many years as a Young Women’s leader. She was passionate about family history work and spent her adult life searching for and getting acquainted with many of her ancestors. Laurie was instrumental in organizing and launching a tri- stake family history center focused on, among other things, helping youth develop a love of and skills for family history work.

Laurie served for three years as an advisor to young adult women in an LDS sorority at the University of Utah. Driven by a passion for learning, she also organized and coordinated multi-stake adult religion classes for many years.

From 2019-2022, Laurie and Larry served as mission leaders in the Washington Seattle Mission where she loved and inspired more than 750 missionaries. The lives of their missionaries were profoundly influenced for good by her love of the Savior, witness of the Book Mormon, and testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Laurie is survived by her sweetheart Larry, four children – Troy, Pepper (Marc), Quinn (Kelli), and Shelley (Zach) – 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. She is preceded in death by her parents and sisters Julie Skousen and Shirley Baltzer. Surviving siblings include Nancy Boswell (John, deceased), Peggy Atwood (Elwin), Gifford Nielsen (Wendy), as well as brothers-in-law Fred Skousen and Tom Baltzer.

Funeral Services are scheduled for Saturday, October 18th, at 11:00 a.m. at the Sandy Granite Stake Center, 2535 E. Newcastle Dr., Sandy, Utah. Visitation with the family will be held Wednesday, October 15th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hughes Mortuary, 1037 E 700 S, St. George, UT, Friday, October 17th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Sandy Granite Stake Center, and prior to Saturday’s service from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment will take place at the Springville Evergreen Cemetery, 1997 South 400 East, Springville, Utah at 3:00 p.m.

The family expresses gratitude to all who provided such kind and compassionate care throughout her battle with cancer including Dr. Derrick Haslem and the excellent team of nurses and other specialists at Intermountain Cancer Center, Sue Kilbury, as well as Brittani, Zoe, and the staff at Dixie Home Rehab and Hospice.