Stanley Orvin Nicolaysen

I am so lucky and so blessed to have the most amazing grandpa ever. I know I'll see him again someday, and that brings so much comfort. I'll never forget reading "Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb" with him when I was little. That was our special book and he NEVER failed to quote a few lines every time I saw him. My children felt comfortable around him and he was so kind to them. He sealed Nic and I together in the Bountiful Temple when we got married in 2003, it was so wonderful to have him perform the ceremony. I know that he and my Grandma are much of the reason my mom is such a fabulous, selfless, good person. I didn't get to see my grandpa much since we moved from Oregon when I was 6, but it just made our visits that much more special. I will miss him so much. It feels weird to have 3 of my 4 grandparents gone. I just pray that I'll always be able to remember each of them. I also pray that my dear Grandma will have the comfort and care she needs without her sweet husband who took SUCH great care of her. He was among the finest. And Grandpa, I just want you to know that my little family ate at one of your Es-O-En Taco Bells yesterday and we thought of you! Thanks for the burritos!!! We Love You Forever!!!

Stanley Orvin Nicolaysen November 14, 1926 - July 16, 2012 SALEM - Stanley Orvin Nicolaysen, of Salem, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 16, 2012, from complications following a stroke. He was born November 14, 1926 in Modesto, California, to Theodore Laurie and Mary Jane Davis Nicolaysen. He married Edith Melvina Pope, of Turlock, California, on June 18, 1947. After managing the family dairy in Ripon, California, he joined the California Highway Patrol in 1954 and served there until 1964. He left to seek other employment more compatible with his new LDS Church assignment as Bishop in Manteca, California. A visit to a Taco Bell restaurant in 1968 resulted in a new career as a Taco Bell Franchisee. He and Edith moved their family of eight children to Salem, and have lived there until the present time. He formally retired in 1992. An active Scouter, he served on the boards of the Cascade Area and Cascade Pacific Councils, and as president of the Cascade Area Council. The service center on South Liberty in Salem is named for him and Edith. Affectionately known as 'Grandpa Stan", he enjoyed reading with first graders at Faye Wright Elementary School for the past 10 years. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as a Bishop and in many other leadership positions, a temple worker in the Seattle and Portland Temples, and as a full-time missionary with his wife, Edith in England. Over the years he was a faithful home teacher. He is survived by his wife Edith, his children Timothy (Sally) of Draper, Utah; Carl (Pam) of Nampa, Idaho; Marian Sellers (Dan) of Bountiful, Utah; Barbara Sabin (Brian) of Safford, Arizona; Geraldine Roberts (Bob) of Salem, Oregon; Elaine Miles (Roger) of Gilbert, Arizona; Duane (Tammy) of Salem, Oregon; and Karen Baxter (Greg) of Baker City, Oregon; his older brother Donald Nicolaysen, of Jenny Lind, California; sister Kathleen Haack of Grants Pass, Oregon; 31 grandchildren and 57 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 3154 Eola Drive, NW, Salem Oregon, at 11:00 AM, Thursday, July 19, 2012. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to your local Boy Scouts of America Council. Arrangements are by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service. My grandpa's funeral was fabulous. Such beautiful things were said about him. All 30 cousins were there, with the exception of Eric Miles, who is serving a mission in DC. It was a wonderful reunion and so good to see cousins I haven't seen in years. We were also able to visit my Sellers Grandpa/ma's graves which are in the same cemetery as my Grandpa Nicolaysen. The Sellers and the Nicolaysens have been close family friends since my parents were 15 (yep, that's how long my parents have been in love...cute).

It was also nice to hang out with my siblings for a couple days. We ate at "Los Baez" with the Nicolaysens (my Grandpa's FAVORITE restaurant). We also went to my Grandparents (Sellers) ranch and played in their 17 acre back yard. The 6-wheeler was a lot of fun. If only they could get that place sold! We also hung out with Shawnee, Dave, Shayla, Cole and Daisha. I just love those guys! A big thank you to Shawnee and Dave for letting all of us stay at your house! That house brings back the best memories of my childhood :) And Holly, shopping in Portland and RACING to the airport was a blast! Last, but not least. Thank you to Ashley, Ryan, Kate and Matt for helping Nic take such good care of our kids while I was away. Love you guys so much!