Tana Messersmith Nielson

In every crowd there has to be that one person that is stable, well grounded, strong and puts the cares of others before their own. That was Tana. She was a fighter and even as cancer tried to sap her strength, it couldn't sap her spirit. Even while fighting, she still maintained her family. Her children (Melina, Elissa, Kirsten, Asa, Joshua and Ryan) were her greatest joy. She reveled in their accomplishments and thrived in their presence. She spent her life in their service. She was the backbone and the love of her husband (Clayton). She was his strength. As a child she loved to play the piano and sing with her father (Gaylon Messersmith, who preceded her in death). She was his joy. She was like a little mom to her brother (Blair Messersmith, and her sisters (Valyn Andrus (Glen), Marta Marshall (Brent), Vaneta Bodine (Bill) and Lisa Pedersen (Scott). She would march them off to the swimming pool or into another grand adventure. She loved her mother (Joyce Messersmith) from whom she learned her love of books. She loved to read. Tana loved music - she loved plays and musicals. Her favorite thing was when her whole family would gather around the piano and sing while she played. Tana loved to travel, but to her there was no place like home, and now she has been called to her heavenly home to serve the mission she always wanted. Tana loved to serve and was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved to attend church, to feel the spirit of all her friends in the gospel. She served in many capacities in the church, enjoying each opportunity. Tana never prayed, she talked with God and now she can hug his neck as she has always wanted. So we would like to invite you to celebrate the life of this loving mother, wife, sister, daughter and choice daughter of God on Tuesday, September 5 for a viewing from 6 to 8 pm at 8650 South 220 East, Sandy, Utah. There will also be a viewing held from 10 to 11 am, September 6, followed by funeral services at 11:00 am at the same address. She will be missed but her legacy of service, love and kindness will live on forever. We'll miss you Tana, but we know you won't be far from us. Until then, you will always have all of our love forever.