Nathan Poulsen

On March 21, 2019, the Poulsen family lost their son, brother, and friend. Nathan LaMont Poulsen passed away at the age of 26 after surviving three heart transplants. Amidst the years of trials, discomfort, and frustration, Nathan proved to be a transplant warrior who accepted the challenges with a big smile. He was an Angel living among men, one who changed the lives of everyone who had the opportunity to meet him.

In the wake of this unfortunate event, Nathan is survived by his proud parents, Mont and Mary-Ellen Poulsen, who since his birth on January 21, 1993, never wavered in their faith he would live a long fruitful life. They spent months at a time with Nathan in various hospitals praying for and witnessing the most incredible miracles. Nathan had eleven brothers and sisters. Jenna (Dave) Eskelson, Kenny (Jamie) Poulsen, Jarren (Tabitha) Poulsen, Jordan Poulsen, Dustin (Brikelle) Poulsen, Elder Braden Poulsen, Jason Poulsen, Tyson Poulsen, Anna Poulsen, Ryan Poulsen, Caden Poulsen. Nathan created a strong unbreakable bond with his younger siblings and admired his older siblings; all of whom love and miss him very much.

Nathan received his first heart transplant on April 1, 1993, when he was only 10 weeks old. During this time, his older brothers and sister were cared for by their faithful friends and neighbors. Even at a young age and surrounded by intimidating medical equipment, Nathan was a cheerful baby, always smiling when his mom and dad spoke to or held him. Elder Neal A Maxwell gave Nathan a blessing which began a lifetime of miracles. The wonderful staff at Primary Children's Medical Center took great care to ensure he was well taken care of. Nathan had a strong will to live. He balanced school, church, work, hobbies and hospital visits. He stole the heart of every teacher, church leader, employer, friend, neighbor, and medical professional.



After Nathan's seventh birthday, his parents were devastated to learn their precious son was both rejecting his heart and had developed Coronary Artery Disease; both very dangerous and life-threatening conditions. Against all odds, Nathan received a second heart transplant on July 4, 2000. Applying his determined spirit to live his life to its fullest, Nathan continued to participate in soccer, baseball and basketball as a child. He graduated from SkyView High School in Smithfield, Utah where he made a name for himself as the girl's soccer and basketball team manager and learned the skills of cinematography and photography. He loved the teams and coaches he worked with and often recounted many stories to his family.



At age 19, he longed to serve a full-time mission. Due to his medical conditions, he wasn't able to serve as a proselyting missionary, but instead designed and completed a two-year church service mission in the valley. Serving over 60 hours per week, Nathan completed over 800 hours of volunteer service at the English Language Center, became a master at genealogy working at the Tabernacle, tutored children before and after school at Sunrise Elementary School, and worked countless hours at the Bishop's Storehouse. Nathan was asked to share his experiences at a mission conference where his voice was heard by Stake Leaders around the world. Nathan far exceeded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints' expectations and changed how the church approached service missions.

While serving his mission, Nathan continued to move irrigation pipe morning and night and maintained a weekend job at Callaways. He frequently told stories of the jokes and pranks he and his friends at Callaway's would pull on one another. After his mission was complete, he worked at Lee's Marketplace in Smithfield. There Nathan found a second family who loved him and he loved them. He also enjoyed seeing his friends, neighbors, and family as they stopped in.

Nathan started his own Photography business called, "My Sport Shots". He took great pride in capturing that perfect shot. Like, the picture of the ball that just connected to the bat, or the soccer ball just leaving the player's foot. He loved it and spent hours editing and looking and his spectacular shots.

He was creative and spent hours designing landscapes and rooms.

February 14, 2018, Nathan again received news his heart was failing. Determined to halt the progression of a rapid disease, he bought a high-intensity exercise program. Nathan put the DVD on, moved furniture to the side, and the whole family, including nieces and nephews, worked out with him. He joined Sports Academy and worked out there, trained with weights and changed his eating habits and lost twenty pounds in a few short months. He discovered he loved working out and loved the people in that environment. Despite his efforts, the disease progressed, and he was forced to take a leave of absence from work and take it easy. This was hard for Nathan, he liked to stay busy, but he remained cheerful like he always did. He was fortunate and was approved to be put back on the waiting list for a third heart. He was eventually hospitalized and almost three weeks later, received his third heart transplant October 21, 2018.

He did really well and was looking forward to getting back to Lee's, his wonderful young adult ward, teaching genealogy on Tuesday nights and working out at the gym. But suddenly Nathan had to be rushed to Logan Regional Hospital in severe pain. The decision was quickly made to Life light him to Intermountain Medical Center in Murray. There, doctors and nurses who knew Nathan personally were waiting and fought all night to save him. His parents and older siblings were there praying for him and asking God for just one more miracle. The words of Neal A. Maxwell echoed in their minds, "He will live a long life" and was confident he would be alright. Nathan loved his life. He was happy, cheerful, kind, loving. The list of positive adjectives could go on, so to say it simply, He lived his life as perfectly as he knew how.

His family would like to sincerely thank all medical staff who attended Nathan all these years. Especially the doctors, nurses and Life flight who fought for his life March 21st. We love them, Nathan loved them. They will forever have our gratitude and admiration. Thank-you to everyone who has offered their condolences and offered to help in any way. Nathan was a great example for us. His heart was broken, now our hearts are also broken. One day God will mend all our hearts through His Son.


A viewing will be held March 29, 2019, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Smithfield Stake Center, located at 600 East 120 South in Smithfield. Funeral services will be held March 30, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. at the same Stake Center with a viewing from 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. A nursery will be provided for all services. Please enter through the west side of the building.