Myrna Nielson Thacker

Myrna Nielson Thacker, 78, died of respiratory failure on June 14, 2016 due to complications related to post-polio syndrome surrounded by her close family. Born, September 23, 1937 in Spanish Fork, Utah to Doris Virginia Miller and Merrill Nielson, Myrna was a child known for her high energy, love of life, playfulness, teasing, practical jokes and laughter. Old family films and stories of her youth include lots of dancing, acting out hilarious skits with her cousins, riding horses with her Forest Ranger father, playing sports and learning the piano. At the age of 14 she contracted polio, which paralyzed her legs and later created health complications in other areas of her body. Through her indomitable spirit of persistence and endless positive attitude, she eventually learned to walk with a cane, balancing herself and throwing her legs forward like a pendulum. She majored in Business Management and Accounting at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and then moved to Salt Lake City where she worked for the Fabian Clendenin law firm, taught classes at the LDS Business College, sang in a Salt Lake chorale, and traveled with friends to over 18 countries. She married the love of her life, Ralph Leo Thacker of Heber City (Daniel), Utah on June 15, 1966 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary together this Wednesday after having been apart since his death almost five years ago. Myrna perfected the art of acceptance. She accepted her polio and pushed forward to learn to walk again, doing so for over 40 years until her upper body gave out. She then gracefully moved to a motorized wheelchair. She gave birth to three children, one with significant learning disabilities, another with severe intellectual disabilities, and another who is gay. She accepted each child as they are and worked tirelessly to provide unconditional love and to help them blossom in their own unique ways. She provided dedicated and loving care for 8 years to her mother who had dementia, and 12 years to her husband who had Parkinson's Disease. She saw each new challenge as a teacher and sought answers, solutions, and the path forward through practical study and faith. As she has said, "you can grow into anything." She served on the Learning Disabilities Board of Utah, actively lobbying at the Utah State Capitol for legislation and funding to support more inclusive learning for the disabled and published their monthly newsletter. She served as a Stake Missionary, Relief Society Spiritual Living Teacher, Pianist and other roles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She has made hundreds of friends from all over the world through her own work related to learning disabilities, supporting her husband's work with Lion's Club International, her son Bryan in Special Olympics, and strongly championing her son Randall's work with Affirmation to help LGBT Mormons find a positive path forward in their lives. During this last illness she received words of encouragement from friends as far away as India and Chile. Many have described Myrna as a person of complete unconditional love, never judging another, always opening her doors especially to those different from her and whose listening skills have helped many family and friends through difficult times. She is survived by her brother Gordon Nielson and wife Maria of Burbank, CA; her three children, Merrilee and Bryan (Taylorsville), and Randall (Washington, DC). She was preceded in death by her parents, Merrill Nielson and Doris Miller; and her brother, Kent Nielson. The Thacker family expresses their deep gratitude and appreciation for the incredible care and support of a variety of caregivers and helpers over the years: Ieda, Sharon, Anne, Natasha, Lupe, Esther, Heather, and others of Home Instead, Millcreek Home Health, as well as her doctor Danesh Rahimi. They are also grateful to the many neighbors and friends who have been there to provide support throughout Myrna's life. Funeral services will be Saturday, June 18, 2016, 12:00 noon at the Taylorsville Gardens 1st Ward, 4252 Bennion Road (1905 West). Viewings will be Friday, 7-9 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road and Saturday at the church from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Interment, Taylorsville Cemetery at 2 p.m. Saturday. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Post-Polio Health International at http://www.post-polio.org/donhow.html in honor of Myrna Thacker. Place of Birth:Spanish Fork, UtahPlace of Death:Taylorsville, Utah