Ilene J. Nielsen

Ilene J. Nielsen

Nov. 1, 1925 – Jan. 14, 2019

Ilene Joyce Nielsen, the daughter of Frederick and Barbara (Drucker) Wullenwaber, was born Nov. 1, 1925, in Tamora. She departed this life Jan. 14, 2019, at the Good Samaritan Center in Superior at the age of 93 years.

Ilene graduated from Nelson High School with the class of 1944. She was united in marriage to John Donald Smith, and to this union two sons were born, Frederick Harold and Jay Don. John passed away in 1957, and Ilene later married Gary Kay Nielsen on Feb. 18, 1961; he adopted Fred and Jay.

Ilene was a devoted Nebraska Cornhusker Football Fan and was an extremely loyal Chicago Cubs fan. Ilene loved going to coffee with her many friends and spent many hours watching sports on TV and of course one of her favorite TV shows, “The Golden Girls.” 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John Smith; husband, Gary Nielsen; son, Jeffery Kay Nielsen; brother, Al Wullenbaber; and sister, Pearl Maxwell.

Survivors include her sons, Frederick Nielsen of Burlington, Iowa, and Jay Nielsen of Superior; grandchildren, Heather Haley and husband Steve, Kelly Cochran and fiance Nathan, Stephanie Betten and husband Jason, Melissa Nielsen and spouse Amanda, Samantha Nielsen and Jacquelyn Nielsen; great-grandchildren, Logan Cochran, Alexis Murillo, Jacob Cochran, Tyler Haley, Franklin Krieger, Ethan Krieger, Dylan Saltzman, Kaitlyn Nielsen and Liam Nielsen; great-great-grandchildren, Cambria, Elena, Manny and Conner; other relatives and a host of friends.

A funeral service was held Jan. 17, 2019, at Salem Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Ethan Feistner officiating. Burial was in the Salem Lutheran Church Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at wmsfh.com.