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Sara Nielson, Kollin’s Wife
I had a long, difficult labor when I had Luke. By the time I started having serious contractions, I was tired and weak. But during a particularly difficult contraction, I looked at Kollin and he was crying. For me. Because I was in pain and he couldn't help. I don't remember ever seeing him cry before that, so seeing him crying for me was very moving. And for a few moments all of my pain was replaced by his love for me. His love gave me strength that day, just as it does today.

 
Luke Nielson, Kollin’s Son
When my daddy was sick, his friend Phil sent him a toy. It was a cat loaded. And I thought it looked like it would be fun to play with. But my daddy said that his new loader wasn't to play with, just to look at. So I was confused when I looked in his room later and saw him playing with his new loader. My Momma said that, sometimes, big boys have a hard time sharing their toys just like little boys. I was sad because from the way my daddy looked, I was right, that loader was fun to play with.
 
Keith Nielson, Kollin’s Father
Kollin and Sara came on one of their visits after he had finished his Chemo and radiation treatments. We took a chance to attend the temple and as we waited to be seated we noticed the picture of the Savior with his arms outspread. It seemed to me that he was saying, "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest in your souls. For my yoke is easy, and by burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
As we traveled home Kollin said, "Dad, I know that I didn't suffer as much as some cancer patients do" and he quoted Matthew 11:28-30 to me. He felt that reason for this was because the Savior had taken Kollin's burden upon Himself and given Kollin His yoke, which was easier, and His burden, which was lighter.
  
  Nancy Nielson, Kollin’s Mother
We have two sons, both with distinct personalities, positives and negatives. I have always said that if I need a hard job done I can ask Bret, but if I need a friend I ask Kollin. Kollin worked hard and played just as hard.
There is a magnet on my fridge that Kollin gave me. It says, "Call your Mother, she worries”, and she always did.
With Kollin there was no riding the fence, no luke-warm, no middle-of-the-road. There was only black and white, right or wrong, no half-truths, either do or don't do. He was bold and brave in his choices, proclaiming truth and right.
Gerry Ogden, Sara’s Mother
When Sara told us she was going to marry a farm boy form Washington who loved big, fast trucks and NASCAR, the thought "really? Our Sara who likes to watch old English movies and reads a lot? Can this be right?" But if you have ever heard Kollin's imitation of Mr. Darcy from "Pride and Prejudice" and hear him criticize the women’s dresses in "Wives and Daughters," or hear Sara spout NASCAR lingo like "bump drafting" you know it is a match made in heaven.
  
  Kristin Nielson, Kollin’s Sister
I can't remember a time when Kollin wasn't up to something or another. When we milked cows he was my work partner. I quickly found out that it was better for Kollin to be out feeding the calves instead of helping me. He drove me nuts, even though he was maybe six at the time.
While I was at college and on my mission I remember getting regular updates, even including newspaper articles, of the infamous TP feud. The snowmobile wrecks, the motorcycle wrecks, the car wrecks, the pickup wrecks, the hay truck wrecks, the tractor wrecks...
Kollin is a great man. He loves his family; Sara his joy and Luke whom he treasures. Kollin is always happiest when he is with them. Kollin loves the Lord and I know that he is busy about his Father in Heaven's work. He is truly a man of God who loved his Savior and faithfully served Him.
Jennie and Curtis Cannon, Sara’s Sister
There are so many "Kollin Moments". Kollin had such a happiness about him. He was always smiling and teasing. His laugh was infectious. When he laughed you couldn't help but laugh too. He was such a great example to everyone around him. He lived the way he knew as right.

The characteristic of Kollin's that I remember most is his hardwork/never give up attitude he displayed during his cancer treatment. Kollin loved and lived his religion. He was a great example to his family, frends and co-workers!

 
  Carrie Myers and Family, Sara’s Sister
Well one time my 2 oldest boys, who were 4 and 2 years old at the time, were playing in a little pool in the backyard. It was so hot Kollin decided he wanted to get in and play also. Well if any of you have seen Kollin without a shirt on you know he is SO hairy! The little boys stopped playing and just stared at Kollin's back. Finally Cameron, who was 4, pointed at Kollin's back and said, "What's that?" I think we told the boys that Kollin was 1/2 monkey.
Not long after Kollin started his treatment for his cancer, Sara, Kollin and Luke came to our house in Heber, Utah for a visit. We left Kollin home and Sara and I took the kids somewhere, I don't remember where but the key part is that Kollin was home alone. Well, we walked in the door and Kollin jumped out at us with no shirt on, Mickey Mouse ears on his head, a ninja turtle mask around his eyes and he was wielding a sword. Who knows how long he was sitting there like that waiting for us to come home.
Just recently on Kollin's birthday Sean and the boys called to sang to him. Sean was singing in Spanish, the boys who were 9,7 and 4 all started at different times and on different notes. Well, when they were done Kollin said, "That was beautiful!", which to Kollin, who is tone deaf, probably didn't notice. Even though he couldn't carry a tune, he loved to sing.
Stephen Ogden, Sara’s Brother
Christmas 2006 Kollin, Sara and Luke were in Delta. There are 2 memories of Kollin I will never forget. The first is about something Kollin and I shared an interest in. Big Trucks and I had just bought one. Me, Amy and Kollin went for a ride and Kollin was like a kid in a candy shop. No really this truck is so big you feel like a kid. Just like a kid, Kollin's smile was ear to ear. We drove out to a long straight road and Kollin jumped in. We put on our seat belts and he put the truck in drive. I don't have to tell you what happened next. He was on that gas like he just saw the green flag being waved. Even though it was a dodge Kollin loved it. The other memory is playing an XBOX racing game for hours going the wrong way on the track just to see how banged our car could get. I am glad that my life was influenced by Kollin. I can't wait to see that smile again.
  
  Amy Ogden, Sara’s Sister
Kollin was always on the lookout for me a husband. He even called me to tell me about a "good looking" guy that he met at the temple. I can only imagine how that conversation went. We are also both closet Barry Manilow fans.
Michael and Carlie Ogden, Sara’s Brother
Transition into the Ogden family is a little bit interesting if you believe what my wife has to say. We, The Ogdens, can be a bit of a sarcastic, teasing bunch. Carlie was really impressed by how Kollin handled the transition. Once we learned that Kollin loved NASCAR and things of a redneck nature well that was just a great opening to start the teasing and smart remarks. Kollin did a great job of handling it all. He was not ashamed and didn’t try to cover up what he was being teased about. He wasn’t going to be dissuaded from his convictions by a bunch of obnoxious teasers. In the end he, of course, came out a head. On our family calendar with all the birthdates, anniversaries and BYU sporting events you will find all the dates and locations of the NASCAR races and my mom even picked out a driver.
Kollin wasn’t an “in-law”. He is our brother. We will be with him again and he will be prepared with many rebuttals.
 
  Cheryl Hunter, Sara’s Sister
During the worst part of Kollin's chemo, when he had lost all of his hair, we decided to send him a care package. We made a "Kollin get well soon" sign and went all over town taking pictures of people holding it up. We found a NASCAR tin of candy, coloring books and crayons, electronic games and cards. We had a great time getting it together but it still wasn't quite right. The boys had always been in awe of Kollin's fabulous sideburns and we knew they were gone. So we went to the craft store and bought fake fur and made him some sideburns and chest hair to replace his. We thought we were hilarious. That year Kollin and Sara's Christmas card arrived in the mail with a picture of them and there was Kollin, completely bald with fabulous fake sideburns. We thought he was wonderful and he was.
Tricia Freeman, Kollin’s Sister
I can remember the day Kollin was born. It was in the days when it was cool to have a baby at the doctor's office instead of in the hospital. Kollin was delivered there then mom said that the doctor left Kollin on her chest for the rest of the night. Mom said it was very uncomfortable.
Kollin was a very big and roly-poly baby. But when he was six months old he got sick. He was in the hospital for a while. He was very skinny when he came home from the hospital. His health luck started at that time.
I think Kollin was the luckiest guy I know. During elementary school there was a reading contest that all the Kids were entered into. Kollin's name was called and he picked a TV. It was the first non-dial changing TV we owned. Kollin was also lucky enough to meet a really great girl who could handle his exciting life episodes.
Some may think that Kollin was unlucky because of all the interesting predicaments he found himself in, but he was jus lucky to have lived. His journey here on earth has ended and he has been lucky enough to meet our older brother and Savior.
To you dear brother, I tip my hat. You have passed the test and have moved on to the next stage of your eternal life. Congratulations! I look forward to seeing you again.
 
  Erica Jensen Kollin’s Sister
I was never a better sister, mother to my boys, never a better friend, than when I was with Kollin. Kollin strengthened my testimony. He inspired me to do better, to try harder, to love more.
As teen-agers Kollin was my protector and my voice of reason. He was my first haircut. I don't know many people that would le a 15-year old girl cut their hair. We spent many hours together in the car and the bus going to and coming from school.
Finding things to do was hard in Basin City but there was always TPing. One night the target was the Mathew's house, which was a challenge; they were always on the lookout. I don't know if they knew we were there but we had never been so successful, at least 150 rolls. On the way out we even put a sprinkler pip across the lane. The next morning at church Sister Mathews informed us that her husband had flattened all four of his tires on that pipe. Jill, who could never keep a straight face, had us worried and really nervous. I think that night started the on-going toilet paper exchange that lasted long after I was gone from home, but that we still enjoy today.
I will miss his stiff, uncomfortable hugs, his big toothy smile and his constant teasing. I will miss his strong testimony. Kollin is a mighty man; he is my brother.
Mijken Telford, Kollin’s Sister
I was able to go with my family to drop Kollin off at the MTC. I was so glad to have him go because he was always teasing and bothering us.
We went to the farewell meeting and sand Called to Serve and then it was time to say "good-bye". Kollin was obviously ready to go; he wasted no time, or hugs. He only took the time to hug his mother and say a quick good-bye to everyone else and then he was gone. He was so ready to go that he jumped some of the chairs on the way to the door to get around all the other crying hugging families. He wanted to be the first missionary oh his mission that day.
 
  Kiley Bagley, Kollin’s Sister
Anything I might know about cars, I learned from Kollin. He and Brett McClure were going to open a mechanic shop called "Brett and Schmole's". I liked to read his car and hot-rod magazines. He would quiz me on what certain parts of the auto were called and what their function was.
I learned to love NASCAR and the radio show "Car Talk" because of Kollin. We listened to "Car Talk" every Sunday on the way home from the Young Adult ward in Tri-Cities.
Bret Nielson, Kollin’s Brother
When Kollin got his first BB gun he asked me what I thought getting shot would feel like. How bad would it hurt? So I volunteered to shoot him. I shot him once and then again just so we would be sure that it really hurt. Then I made him promise not to tell anyone...he never did.