Cindy Nielsen Denning

On the morning of March 12, 2026, Cindy Nielsen Denning, 73, was called home to her Heavenly Father. She lived with Alzheimer’s disease for the final years of her life, during which time she never lost the spicy sense of humor she was well known for.

Cindy was born on June 18, 1952, to Mary Jean Hess and Seymour Hammond in Logan, Utah. She was a cherished member of the community, known for her spunky, vibrant spirit, generous nature, and the most delicious sugar cookies to ever grace your tastebuds.

Cindy attended Logan High School, graduating with the class of 1970. She furthered her education at the LDS Business College before embarking on a fulfilling career as a Program Administrator at the Institute of Political Economy at Utah State University. There, she was instrumental in coordinating internships for political science majors, a role in which she was both beloved and respected by colleagues and students alike.

Working on the fourth floor of the Old Main building, Cindy adamantly avoided the elevator in favor of taking the stairs, allowing her to nurture her favorite hobby, walking. To this day, it’s quite possible she holds the record for steps taken in that stairwell.

Cindy loved her favorite team, the Utah State Aggies, and enjoyed attending the football and basketball games with her brother, Ron, and family. Always a fan of a good deal, she took full advantage of the discounted season tickets that were one of the perks of her employment at USU. Cindy rarely missed a game, embodying team spirit in every cheer. Just like her favorite team, she played the game of life with all her might. Even as her memory dissipated, she remembered every single word of the Aggie fight song.

Knowing her passion for the Aggie’s, the love of her life, Troy Nielsen, proposed to her under the A. They were married on November 7, 1975, in the Logan LDS temple. Throughout their life together, the spark between them was undeniable, flirting with each other every day as though they were falling in love for the first time.

Following Troy’s passing, she later married Allen Rogers and Steve Denning, kind men who cared for her deeply until they, too, were called home. We’re not saying she was a black widow… just very loveable.

Since her youth, Cindy spent countless summer days at her family’s condo at Bear Lake, a tradition she continued with her children and grandchildren. It was the place where she found the most peace, as it surrounded her with beautiful scenery where she could walk, ride her bike, and soak up the sun while reading a book next to the pool as her children and grandchildren swam and splashed around. She often joked that she wouldn’t be satisfied with her tan until she was one solid freckle.

Cindy was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had the opportunity to teach both Primary and Relief Society, but her most cherished calling was as the Young Women’s president in College Ward, which she is fondly remembered for.

Cindy was preceded in death by the love of her life, her first husband, Deputy Troy Nielsen of the Cache County Sheriff’s office; subsequent husbands Allen Rogers and Steve Denning; her parents, Mary Jean Hess and Seymour Hammond; brothers Ron Hammond and Bruce Hammond, and brother-in-laws, Dennis Taylor and Kevin Nutley.

She is survived by her son, Kaleb (Anna) Nielsen; daughter, Ajé (Adam) Summerly; grandchildren, Kalie (Hunter) Doucette, Kyelan (Katie) Nielsen, Kolton Nielsen, Karson Nielsen, and Kambria Nielsen; one great-grandchild, Evelyn Nielsen, (and another great-grandchild on the way!); her sisters Shauna Coburn Nutley and Sandra (Larry) Adams; sister-in-law Susan Hammond Wamsley; and many nieces and nephews.

Though we are saddened by her departure, we find peace in knowing that she is no longer struggling and is now getting into all sorts of shenanigans with Troy on the other side. Those two were skilled at silliness and laughter, so Heaven better be prepared for an eternity of practical jokes.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff of Cache Valley Assisted Living and Memory Care, for their dedication in caring for our mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. We appreciate you supporting her sass and humor to the very end.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that contributions in Cindy's memory be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation, www.alz.org, so that one day we may finally find a cure.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 1:00 pm at White Pine Funeral Services, 753 S 100 E, Logan, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm at the funeral home.

Cindy's funeral can be viewed via Zoom at the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81416815157