Phyllis Ann Nielson

Phyllis Ann was born October 1, 1921, in Sioux City, Iowa to Clara Meyers. She attended country school in Coleridge, Nebraska and Audubon, Iowa. Living with her aunt and uncle Bertha and Albert Kuhnhann, the family moved to several communities in Nebraska and Iowa before settling in Coon Rapids in l941. It was there that Phyllis met and married Clarence Nielson on December 14, 1941, a week following Pearl Harbor. The couple was married at the First Christian Church in Coon Rapids and soon after Phyllis followed Clarence to Riverside, California where he was stationed with the United States Army. She worked in the shipyards there until their first child, David, was born in 1943. When Clarence was shipped to the Philippines, Phyllis returned with her son to live in Glidden, Iowa until World War II was over and Clarence returned home in 1945. Following the war the couple moved south of Coon Rapids, for a short time and later in 1948 bought a small home on 6th Avenue. It was here that their second son, Donald was born in 1949. In 1956 the family purchased the home right next door where Phyllis resided for 58 years until her death. Phyllis was employed by the Coon Rapids Enterprise from 1955 until 1975 as a dark room technician. She then joined her husband in the continued operation of Nielson Trucking until it closed in l983. After the death of her husband in 2003, Phyllis remained in their home. Phyllis was a long time active member of the First Christian Church in Coon Rapids beginning in 1941. She held many offices in the church including Sunday school teacher, CWF chair, Deaconess, Elder, and Trustee. Phyllis enjoyed belonging to various Bible study groups through the years. She served as a member and president of the Coon Rapids Community School Board in the l960's and enjoyed the fellowship of a long standing needle club. Phyllis treasured her family and friends, coin and Hummel figurine collecting, and will be ever remembered for her famous German chocolate cake. Phyllis died Wednesday, November 26, 2014, at St. Anthony's Regional Hospital in Carroll, Iowa following a massive heart attack having attained the age of 93 years, one month, and 25 days. Preceding Phyllis in death was her mother, husband, and brother Leslie Tietsort Jr. She is survived by her children, David and wife Mary Nielson of Urbandale, Iowa; Donald Nielson and wife Melissa of Avoca, Iowa; five granddaughters: Elizabeth Schleisman of Urbandale; Nancy and husband Craig Decker of Des Moines; Andrea Burgess of Des Moines; Melinda Nielson of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Leslie Nielson of New York, New York; five great-grandchildren: Keaton Schleisman, Brandon Burgess, Hannah, Morgan, and Jacob Decker, and one sister Peggy Wullich of Norman, Oklahoma and other relatives and friends. REVEREND BEN RAMIREZ, OFFICIANT Music "ANDANTE GRAZIOSO" MOZART RECORDING "HE TOUCHED ME" PASTOR BEN AND KEVIN CREES, VOCALS LAURA LEE RAMIREZ, ACCOMPANIST Casket Bearers FRED SHIRBROUN ELIZABETH REILING DAN RICHARDSON WILTSIE CRETSINGER DOUG HONOLD GARY STRASSER Honorary Casket Bearers Granddaughters & Great grandchildren ELIZABETH SCHLEISMAN NANCY DECKER ANDREA BURGESS MELINDA NIELSON LESLIE NIELSON KEATON SCHLEISMAN HANNAH DECKER MORGAN DECKER JACOB DECKER BRANDON BURGESS