Linda Hackett

Linda Louise Nielson Hackett of Duchesne, Utah, passed away from respiratory arrest associated with COVID-19 on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, in Murray, Utah. She preceded her husband, Ronald Dee Hackett, in death by four hours as he battled and ultimately succumbed to respiratory illness associated with COVID-19 in Orem, Utah. Linda and Ron were fervently dedicated to each other in life and weren’t separated in death. Their eternal bond is an inspiration to their many cherished children and grandchildren.

Ron was born on February 3, 1943, in Salt Lake City to Crystal Irene Allred Hackett and Ray Lamar Hackett, growing up in Hanna, Utah, until meeting Linda, his “Sweet,” in their Family Home Evening group at Brigham Young University in 1969. Linda was born on April 5, 1945, to Viola Christina May Cuddeford Nielson Bame and Olaf Merrill Nielson and was raised in Provo, Utah, until marrying Ron in the Salt Lake Temple on November 20, 1970. Together, they raised and are survived by nine children: Daren (Alicia) Hackett, Dalin (Karen) Hackett, Mindy (Ernie) Jones, Jannell (Wynn) Barker, Corene (Chris) Jensen, Wes (Merri) Hackett, Kristen (Chad) Shelly, Camille (David) Golding, and Tyler Hackett. Ron was preceded in death by his parents and one sibling, Kent (Kathy) Hackett, and is survived by three sisters, Barbara (Tom, deceased) Davis, Lorraine (Rock) Harrison, and Tamera (Doug) Angus. Linda was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings Merrill Nielson, Karen Bame, and Carol Olsen, and is survived by siblings Mae Barker and Merlin Nielson. Ron and Linda are also survived by 36 grandchildren.

Ron relished his childhood working on the family farm in Hanna. He attended school in Tabiona, graduating in 1961, and later attended Brigham Young University before serving in the North Central States Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon returning home in 1964, he joined the Army National Guard and served in a Provo unit for five years. He soon met Linda, and after their marriage in 1970, they purchased a home in Provo and welcomed their first children, twin boys Daren and Dalin. In 1972, they relocated to Hanna, where Ron worked various jobs in the school district, for stores, and as a janitor for the Church. During this time, he and Linda began attending a study group in Duchesne on the United States Constitution. They both found great meaning in learning with others about the Constitution and sharing their convictions about freedom, and continued to seek out and attend study groups for the rest of their lives. About eight years later, they moved to Duchesne. Ron pursued his greatest achievements in the coming years: raising and supporting his family, working tirelessly in his occupations, and tending his treasured garden.

Linda grew up in Provo and after graduating from Provo High, she worked as a secretary and receptionist while attending BYU. She served a mission in Illinois and after returning and marrying Ron, began her greatest occupation and life’s pursuit, raising a family and providing a loving home for her children. She devoted herself to her greatest desire, she once wrote, to be married in the temple, raise a righteous family, live and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and have an eternal family together with all her loved ones. Her children succeeded in adulthood in all the ways she hoped, with educational and career achievements beyond her own, but most importantly to her, with strong families of dedication to the gospel and loving relationships. Linda mastered constitutional literature, reading widely in topics related to liberty, and produced lectures and books of her own. All who knew her felt of her passion for family, the gospel, and freedom.

The culmination of their lives’ work and inner strength was seen in their final days as they strove through pain and illness to be near each other and to endure faithfully to the end. As they return to the embrace of their Heavenly Father, their humble presence and care for their children and grandchildren will forever inspire their family and friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 11, at 10:00 a.m. at the Duchesne LDS Meetinghouse, 130 South 300 East, Duchesne, Utah. A viewing will be held Friday, December 10, 6:00–8:00 p.m. at the same meetinghouse. A graveside ceremony will be held Saturday, December 11, at 3:30 p.m., at the Provo City Cemetery. Digital links are posted at RonAndLindaHackett.com and SundbergOlpinMortuary.com.

Condolences for the family may be left on this page.

For those unable to attend, you may view the Service HERE

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