PHILIP BOYD NIELSEN

Phil Nielsen of Goldendale, Washington passed away January 3rd, 2026 in Vancouver, Washington.   Phil was born March 24th, 1967 and was 58 years of age at the time of passing. 

“Born March 24, 1967 to Alan and Peggy (Brokaw) Nielsen in Edmonds WA. Phil died early Saturday morning, January 3, 2026 at the age of 58 at Salmon Creek Legacy Hospital in Vancouver WA. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He graduated from Cascade High School in 1986 and shortly thereafter served a church mission to the Arizona, Phoenix mission from 1986 – 1988. He married his wife, Ronda, in the Seattle WA LDS temple on May 28, 1993. They moved to Goldendale in August 1997, settling on a portion of his grandfather’s farm property. He worked for the Goldendale Sentinel as a newspaper delivery man for almost 20 years, until due to complications of surgery, he was unable to return to his cherished paper routes. He loved to deliver to the elderly, as he could hand deliver the newspaper and chat with them for a few minutes. Phil had a huge heart and would do anything and everything he could to help those in need of assistance or just a smile to warm their days. When he delivered the Sentinel to the Klickitat Valley Hospital he would whistle bird sounds to let everyone know that he had arrived with their weekly newspaper. He was known around town as “the paper guy.” He loved to collect coins; to solve jigsaw puzzles; to play video games on his telephone, to watch Game Show Network on TV and playing with his Boston Terriers, Tucker and Booth. He also loved making people laugh, people cannot talk about him without laughing at his stories and quirkiness.  His greatest love was taking care of his beloved wife.  He is survived by his wife, Ronda, of 32 years; his mother, Peggy Nielsen; brothers, Rick (Lorraine) Nielsen, Stephen (Glenda) Nielsen, Timothy (Lisa) Nielsen, Charlie (Umaporn) Nielsen and sister Leona (Brad) Lasher and “adopted” sister, Miranda Whitehead and numerous nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Alan Nielsen and brothers, Peter Nielsen and Michol Nielsen.

All are welcome to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Goldendale on January 17, 2026 for viewing immediately prior to funeral services to be held on January 17, 2026 at 1:00pm. His body will be interred in the IOOF Cemetery in Goldendale.”  

Arrangements are under the direction of Columbia Hills Memorial Chapel • 300 W. Broadway Street (Post Office Box 134), Goldendale, Washington 98620 • (509) 772-2636.  Visit www.gardnerFH.com to share a story or leave a note for family.