Nina May Bertelsen Paulsen, passed into glory September 6, 2016 at the age of 94 years, 3 months and 26 days at Bethany Home in Minden. Funeral services will be on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the Fredericksburg Lutheran Church south of Minden with Revs. Baron & Nancy Cole and Rev. Terry Nielsen officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be at the Craig Funeral Home in Minden on Friday from 4-6 p.m.
Nina was born on May 10, 1922 in Sidney, Montana, to Hans G. and Mary (Johnson) Bertelsen. She was the youngest of 8 children and at the age of 3, moved with her family to Blair, Nebraska, where her father had found employment. Her family joined the First Lutheran Church in Blair.
Nina graduated from Blair High School in 1939. After graduation she was employed as a linotype operator and secretary at the Danish Lutheran Publishing House in Blair. She met Sidney while attending a Luther League Bible Camp at Camp Niobrara, in Niobrara, NE. They were married September 7, 1944 at First Lutheran Church in Blair. Sidney and Nina had the pleasure of living on the Paulsen Family Farm for 30 years, during which time they raised their family; two daughters, Cheryl, living in Iowa, and Dorothy in North Carolina and a son Ron, living on the farm. All of her children were married at Fredericksburg Lutheran Church.
Sidney and Nina moved from the farm into the house that Sidney built in Minden in 1975 and enjoyed living in the house together for another 30 years. They were married for 61 years before Sidney passed away in September of 2005. Nina resided at Bethany Home in Minden from 2005 until her passing.
Nina was a member of Fredericksburg Lutheran Church and was active in all church activities when able. She participated in Circle groups, Senior League and Choir. When her children were young she directed the Junior Choir. She also enjoyed singing in the Grandma Trio for many years and was a member of the Town and Country Extension Club and the Lioness Club. Before moving to Bethany Home she enjoyed making quilts in her basement. Sidney and Nina were members of several card clubs and enjoyed playing Somerset, checkers, Sorry and 31. Pizza night with her family was one of her favorite times as she loved being with and watching her great grandchildren play.
Nina was preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings, her husband Sidney and son-in-law Stan Nielsen. She is survived by her daughters Cheryl (Stan) Nielsen of Harlan, Iowa, Dorothy (John) Groesser of Grimesland, North Carolina, son Ron (Joann) Paulsen of Minden, grandchildren Dory Nielsen and Ivy Nielsen of Iowa, Ryan Groesser and Jason Groesser of North Carolina and Becky Bartels and Chris Paulsen of Nebraska. She was blessed with 15 great grandchildren all of whom she loved and cherished, plus many relatives and friends.