Corrin Gubler Nielson

Corrin Gubler Nielson was born on January 2, 1941, in LaVerkin, Utah, to William Ernest Nielson and Ruth Gubler, the fourth of five children. Always an early riser, it was no surprise that before the sun came up on November 1, 2024, he quietly and peacefully left mortality and joined his two daughters, Carrie and Camille, along with other family members, on the other side of the veil. We will miss him dearly, but we can also imagine the happy reunion there!

Corrin was both disciplined and dedicated to excellence. He learned early from his father the trades of carpentry and woodworking, knowledge he continued to use throughout his life. He worked on commercial and private contracts but mostly helped family members build or remodel their own homes. His most recent project was building a beautiful home for his wife, Janice, just three years ago, doing much of the work himself. This work ethic has been a trademark, and his sons and grandsons lament that even in his later years, he could not be outworked. From his mother, Corrin learned to love uplifting music while listening to her numerous records. This appreciation only grew throughout his life as he found a natural talent for playing both the trumpet and the guitar, as well as singing. He found great joy performing as a soloist and in numerous choirs and bands. No matter what it was, Corrin always gave one hundred percent effort to all he attempted. If it was worth his time, it was worth doing well.

Curious about the world and diligent in seeking truth, Corrin put great personal effort into learning all he could, often sharing his insights and vision with others. He had a particular passion for political science and a great love of country. This drove him to seek an extensive formal education, including a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from BYU and a PhD at SIU. After teaching briefly at SUSC, ultimately, he dedicated the remainder of his career to elementary school teaching. His classroom was a lab of hands-on learning where students, including several of his own children, were inspired to see the world in new ways. They have many special memories of desert field trips, puppet shows, and an assortment of classroom pets. He was an inspiring teacher because of his grand vision, thorough preparation, and unbounded enthusiasm. He lifted our sights to the most important things—space and light and heaven and truth, always tying each piece of knowledge and understanding to the eternal things of God. 

A consistent example to his family and friends of being constantly engaged in good works, he spent his life in service to his family, his fellowmen, and God. He considered that his reason for living and found great joy in assisting in whatever capacity he could. Corrin served in numerous callings, including scoutmaster, teacher, ward and stake clerk, high counselor, bishop, and temple ordinance worker. He found great joy in his many hours of temple service, which he continued until a few weeks before his passing. He served as a young missionary in the Austrian Swiss Mission, and later, he and Janice served several missions together, including one to Volgograd, Russia, and several service-teaching missions to China.

Although both a great craftsman and a true scholar, Corrin felt like his greatest success and joy came from his work in his own family and his service to others. He was a loyal and caring husband to Janice for nearly 60 years, always honoring her goodness and attributing much of their success with their children to her gentle child-rearing skills. Together, they created a home of love, peace, family togetherness, and devotion to God. He was a dedicated and loving father to his eleven living children, fitting in time to coach little league, take them on hiking and camping outings, and play ball at the local court. He led the family in righteousness and love, maintaining close relationships with each of his children. His recent days were filled with small and large acts of service, delivering produce, helping with a project, or checking on someone with a need.

Corrin has been a beautiful example of Christ-like living to all, exemplifying the values of faith, compassion, obedience, and virtue. He spent his life serving God, his entire family, and anyone he could think of who needed a hand. He had a vibrant testimony of the mission, message, and Atonement of Jesus Christ, and he lived true to it in his personal life and church service. His family considers his love and example to be one of the greatest blessings of their lives. He was full of life and full of love right to his last days here. He wanted everyone to know that he believed in God and that he believed in them, too. 

Corrin was preceded in death by his daughters Carrie (1966-1966) and Camille (Chris) Stepan (1975-2014), his parents, William Ernest Nielson and Ruth Gubler, and sister, Quinta (Dell) Beatty. He is survived by Janice Gerber, who he married nearly 60 years ago on January 28, 1965, and children, Christine (Cristopher) Hogan, Marianne Winget, Natalie (Duane) Adams, Kathryn (Matthew) Horlacher, Bryant (Kim) Nielson, Garrett Nielson, Stuart (Rachael) Nielson, Lana (Steve) Royle, Cheryl (Doug) Greer, Mark (Camilla) Nielson, fifty grandchildren and twenty-six great-grandchildren. 

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