Funeral services planned for snowmobile rider

Raysha Nielsen shown with husband Cory Nielsen and son Traxton.

LOGAN — Funeral arrangements are being made for a 21-year-old wife and mother killed in a snowmobiling accident Saturday afternoon east of Franklin, Idaho.

Raysha Renee Nielsen died after the snowmobile she was riding hit a tree.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 28 at the Smithfield South Stake Center, 451 South 250 East in Smithfield, Utah.

Additional details regarding Nielsen’s death were released Monday by Franklin County Sheriff David Fryar.

Fryar said Search and Rescue and a medical helicopter were both dispatched to the northern Franklin Basin area, after Franklin County Dispatch was called about the accident at 3:37 p.m.

Fryar said the sled Nielsen was riding was making a turn when it suddenly accelerated, hitting a tree. She was reported having severe injuries to her chest.

Fryar said efforts to revive Nielsen were unsuccessful. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Nielsen was the daughter of Rich and Shellie Gladfelder. She grew up in Smithfield, graduating from Sky View High School in 2010.

Family members and friends said Nielsen had a passion for snowmobiling. She competed professionally and worked at Renegade Sports, owned by her father.

She was married to Cory Nielsen and had one son, three-year-old Traxton.

To honor Neilsen, services will begin at 1:13 p.m., her snowmobile racing number she used when competing.

A viewing will be held Thursday night at Webb Funeral Home, 1005 South 8th East in Preston, Idaho.

A memorial fund has been set up at local Wells Fargo branches. Family members are also selling “Ride for Raysha” stickers. The proceeds from the stickers will be going to Nielsen’s husband and son.

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