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Ruth L. (Hansen) Nielsen 89

Ruth L. (Hansen) Nielsen, 89, of Tucson, Ariz., died July 13, 2002. Funeral services were Wednesday, July 17, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Tucson. Interment was at East Palm Cemetery.

Ruth Laurette (Hansen) Nielsen was born on her parent’s farm in Boomer Township near Weston, Iowa. She received her education in a one-room schoolhouse and later attended Dana College in Blair.

She had a beautiful soprano voice, sang in the choir, and taught Sunday school at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Neola, Iowa. She worked on her parent’s farm and developed a love of gardening.

On June 1, 1941, she married Walter H. Nielsen, a Sunday school teacher from Harlan, Iowa. In 1944, they moved from Harlan to Blair, where they were partners in the Nielsen Jewelry store. In 1960, they purchased the Gambles Store in downtown Council Bluffs, Iowa. Mrs. Nielsen later worked in sales of children’s clothing at the Brandeis department store in downtown Omaha.

In 1965, the family moved to Tucson, Ariz., for their daughter’s health. Mrs. Nielsen then worked for Jacome’s department store, and later at Goldwyn’s department store.

After she retired, she became a member of the Rachael Circle at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, where she volunteered her time and resources. She was a lifelong Christian and Lutheran. Her life was characterized by love for God, her family and gardening. She cared deeply for her family and encouraged family members to seek higher education. Her son inherited a bass singing voice; her daughter and granddaughter have inherited a love of gardening from her. Her family will all miss her.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Alan and JoAnn (Mason) Nielsen; daughter and son-in-law, Janelle and Kurt Kennedy; sister, Florence M. Hansen; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Walter.

East Lawn Palms Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~