Marilyn M. Nielsen

February 26, 1922 - December 9, 2018

Marilyn Marjorie (Seger) Nielsen, 96, of Bellevue, formerly of Minden, passed away on Sunday December 9, 2018 at Bellevue Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 14, 2018 at the Fredericksburg Lutheran Church, south of Minden, with the Rev. Donald Hunzeker and Parish Nurse Julie Schmidt officiating. Interment will be held following services at the Fredericksburg Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at the Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Memorials in Marilyn’s honor are kindly suggested to Fredericksburg Lutheran Church or to Lutheran World Relief. Craig Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Marilyn was born on February 26, 1922 in Omaha, Nebraska to Fred and Mildred (Pettis) Seger. She grew up in Omaha and received her education at Benson High School and Dana College. On February 26, 1942, she was united in marriage to Charles E. Nielsen in Omaha. The couple lived in rural Minden where they farmed for many years. They later moved into town in 1969 and then to Bethany Home in 2010. Charles passed away in 2011. Marilyn later moved to Richmont Terrace in Bellevue. She was a member of Fredericksburg Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School and Bible School. She also taught various Bible studies over the years and was involved with Home Extension Club. She taught in a one-room school near Richfield, NE for a short time after earning her teaching certificate from Dana College. Marilyn loved quilting so much that one year she and Charles made over 100 quilts to send to Lutheran World Relief. Almost everyone in her family has a special quilt, along with a baby blanket. Many of these quilts will be displayed on the church pews at her funeral, a reflection of their loving touch. An avid reader, Marilyn was a lifelong learner. She especially enjoyed her Bible and devotionals, and when her eyesight was failing, she enjoyed the “talking books” provided by the Nebraska Commission for the Blind. At age 96, she could still recite poetry learned in her early years. She saw many changes in technology during her lifetime and marveled that a phone could give you turn by turn directions or information within seconds. Not one to sit idle for long, Marilyn enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking and baking, and counted cross stitch. She loved watching sports of all kinds and playing cards and games, especially 10-point pitch. On the farm, she and Charles once stayed up all night playing cards with the neighbors until the gas man came the next morning! It was always a treat when Grandma/Great-Grandma got involved in a game of cards with the grandkids. Marilyn was a city girl who moved to “the middle of nowhere” with her farmer husband. There were no sounds of trolleys or cars and no street lights or indoor plumbing, just crickets to serenade her at night. With time, though, country life came to suit her well. She learned how to “tell the difference between a Hereford and a Holstein” and happily tended to her chickens. She was always excited when a new batch of chicks arrived each spring. Throughout her long lifetime, Marilyn experienced many losses among her family members and friends, most recently stating that she was “the only one left”. Her faith and determination, however, kept her strong in spirit. She loved each and every one in her family and was proud of each one, always looking forward to spending time with them. We hope that you will join us in giving thanks for a life well lived. Those left to cherish her memory include her sons, Gary Nielsen and wife Mary of Minden and Terry Nielsen and wife Sandy of Bellevue; daughter, Sharie Hubert and husband, Andy of Geneva; grandchildren, Kay Holt and husband Rusty, Kevin Nielsen and wife Sabrina, Kurt Nielsen and wife Stephanie, Kim Quandt and husband Karl, Kent Nielsen and wife Holly, Megan Vander Haar and husband Jade, Erik Nielsen and wife Sarah, Paul Hubert and wife Addie and Evan Hubert; 19 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren; brother, Fred Seger and wife Ladena; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Charles; brother, Ron Seger and his wife Norma, and one infant sister. Tributes of memory can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com.