Linda Nielsen

Linda Nielsen, daughter of  Albert and Jeanette Wetzel of Bayard, died at Chenequa, Wisconsin.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 am on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at Gethsemane United Methodist Church 642 Main St., Pewaukee, WI with Pastor Pete Peterson officiating.  Friends may call at the church on Friday from 4 pm until 7 pm and again on Saturday from 9:30 am until the time of Service.        http://www.evertlukofuneralhome.com/A Graveside Service will be held at 11:30 am on Monday, January 26, 2009 at Highland Township Cemetery in Bayard, Iowa with Pastor John Miller, Linda's cousin, officiating.  Family and friends may gather at the United Methodist Church in Bayard after 10:30 am till time of the graveside service and are invited to return to the church following the service for a luncheon.www.ohdefuneralhome.comIn lieu of flowers memorials appreciated to the church, the American Cancer Society or to the Restoring Hope Transplant House 7457 Terrace Avenue, Middleton, WI 53562. Linda was an extraordinary human being characterized by her strength of faith, her love of family and her generosity to others.

She was born May 11, 1949 in Jefferson, Iowa to parents Albert and Jeanette Wetzel.  On August 15, 1970 she married her middle school sweetheart.  Linda graduated in three years with honors from the University of North West Missouri with a degree in elementary education and subsequently taught school and pursued graduate degrees. At age 35 she overcame breast cancer and continued to lead her life demonstrating faith and courage and was truly an inspiration to those who knew her.  As a result of earlier treatments she had significant ongoing health issues.  On December 25, 2004 she was given the gift of life, receiving a heart transplant at UW Hospital.  Although her faith and her will remained strong her health deteriorated until she was called home to be with our Lord. Linda was a gifted athlete who excelled at basketball, track and field and golf.  She believed in giving back to the community and volunteered her time to numerous organizations.  She served as a school board member, past PTO president, Sunday school teacher, church choir member, past president of the Hartland Womans Club, past chairperson for the Festival of Trees and a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader.

Linda J. Nielsen, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 18, 2009, following a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer and complications following a heart transplant.

She is survived by her husband of 38 years Maurice, her daughters Jennifer (Tom) Maskel, Erin (Ben) Kossow and Laura (Paul) Tesch, her grandchildren Tyler Kossow and Michael Maskel, and her parents Albert and Jeanette Wetzel.  She is further survived by three brothers Jim (Linda) Wetzel, Steve (Lybi) Wetzel and David (Bonnie) Wetzel, her mother-in-law Helen Nielsen, sister-in-law Sue Wetzel, and brother-in-laws Keith (Karen) Nielsen and Bob (Ann) Nielsen.  She was especially proud of and loved entertaining her 13 nieces and nephews and their families.  In addition, she will be missed by a large and loving extended family and community of friends. A heartfelt thank you to the physicians and staff of the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics and Waukesha Memorial Hospital.  A special thank you to Dr. Jeffrey Gaver, Carol Millman ANP, Dr. Timothy McAvoy and the ProHealth therapy staff.  The family is deeply appreciative of the guidance and support of Pastor Pete Peterson and the numerous acts of kindness and outpouring of love by family and friends.