Riverton, Utah-Steven LeRoy Nelson was born on February 19, 1945 in Glendale, California, to parents Torvall Nelson and Betty Rae Wilkinson. He lived his formative years in Orem, Utah, where he loved to play in the River Bottoms with his friends, and earned his Eagle Scout award, of which he was always proud. He loved the Utah desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains.
He married Phyllis Robinson in 1966, and graduated with a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University in 1967. He worked in California before returning to BYU for his master's degree, which from the hardships of his youth, he could have bragged about, but never did. He worked at an accounting firm while obtaining his CPA. Eventually he established his own accounting firm and always provided for his family.
He served faithfully in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, maintaining a testimony of Jesus Christ throughout his life.
Steve is survived by his wife, Phyllis, children, Trent (Laura) Nelson, Christina Nelson, and April (Sean) Nelson, and grandchildren, Noah, Nat, and Grey Nelson. His siblings are Lyndall (deceased), Linda (Greg) Clark, Carole (Jan) Jensen, David (Suzanne) Nelson, and Trudy (Gary) Ovard.
 

"Flashlight" Steve was known widely as an outdoorsman, always making 72-hour kits for family members to take for use in emergencies. Thankfully, these kits have seldom if ever been needed for urgent survival purposes. His favorite tool was the flashlight, of which he owned dozens and loved to share. He was a shining light in his loved ones' lives, illuminating the way with his upright spirit and power to make anyone laugh. He never met anyone he didn't love and cherish. He loved to watch movies, and dreamt of finding buried treasure.
Steve enjoyed 57 years of joyful marriage. He passed away gently in his lifelong companion's loving embrace.