Lena and Nils' son Matthias was the first to immigrate to the United States after the family converted. Matthias settled in Tooele and worked to secure passage for the rest of the family. Sven and Peter remained in Sweden for missionary efforts, and Hannah their oldest daughter stayed behind with her husband and family.  Lena and Nils immigrated to Utah in 1864 along with their three children, Anna, Johanna, and Kjersti. Kjersti passed away that year while they were waiting in Missouri. They settled in Tooele, with a brief interlude in Vernon. The family lived in the "Nelson House" on First North and Main Street. Lena passed away in 1867, soon after the family arrived.