Obituary of Edith Nielsen

B I O G R A P H Y NIELSEN: Edith Evelyn Nielsen passed away in the Grey Nuns Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta on Friday, March 10, 2006 at the age of 91 years. Edith Evelyn Nielsen was born near Preeceville on January 24, 1915 and then the family moved to the Edam area. She was the eldest of six girls and six boys born to Walter and Maud Bishop. She is survived by three brothers: Reginald (Marge) of Lone Butte, BC; Wesley (Charlotte) of Cranbrook, BC; Raymond of North Battleford, SK; two sisters, Gertrude (Ross) Walker of Ingleside, ON; Gladys of Victoria, BC; and one sister-in-law Grace Bishop of Fort St. John, BC. She is also survived by three children, daughter Elizabeth (Bob) Marshall of Edmonton, AB; grandchildren Patricia Strand and John Marshall of Edmonton; son George (Ferne) Nielsen of Turtleford, SK; grandchildren: Peggy (Richard) Rolheiser of Burlington, ON; Karen (Demetrio) Pagano of Calgary, AB; Ron (Lexy) of Edmonton, AB; Chresten (Jodi) of Lloydminster, AB; daughter Rosalie (John) Warrington of Mervin, SK; grandchildren: Kurt (Andree) of Edmonton, AB; and Greg of Mervin, SK; eight great-grandchildren: Aidan Strand, Jordi and Julia Rolheiser, Gianna, Lia and Marcello Pagano, Claire and Tori-Rae Nielsen. She was predeceased by her husband Nickolai in 1970, her parents and three brothers and sisters. She attended Cordelia School completing Grade Eight, passing the Provincial Ministry of Education exams with Honours in June, 1930. In February, 1933 Edith married Nickolai Nielsen, a young man from Denmark, and they farmed in the West Hazel district until 1967. They then moved to Turtleford where Nickolai became ill in 1968 and passed away in May, 1970. Edith continued living in Turtleford and moved to Edmonton in 2003 where she resided until her passing. Edith was a farm wife and partner. She grew a large garden and lots of flowers. She also maintained a flock of chickens for eggs and meat. She enjoyed raising poultry and one year she and Nickolai successfully marketed a flock of two thousand turkeys. After Nickolai's death she acquired her driver's license at the age of 59. City driving didn't bother her and she drove into Saskatoon and through Edmonton as she pleased. She enjoyed embroidery, crocheting and knitting especially for the grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was also a talented seamstress sewing clothes and quilting. Edith loved her family and took great pride in them. She always had endless time to listen to accomplishments or problems as they occurred. She was so proud of the new "in-law" additions as they entered the family through the years. And, of course, she loved the great grandchildren! In later years Edith enjoyed traveling to Denmark several times, to England, Hawaii, the United States and through Europe. We will miss her every day. The memorial service for Edith was conducted from the Turtleford Kingdom Hall on Thursday, March 16, 2006 at 2:00 P.M. with Henry Crichton officiating. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster and Turtleford administered the funeral arrangements. Card of Thanks The family of the late Edith Nielsen would like to thank the staff at Churchill Manor and the Grey Nuns Hospital in Edmonton for the immediate response and care of their mother and grandmother. Thanks to Henry Crichton for conducting the service and to Karen, Kurt and John for giving the eulogy. Our heartfelt gratitude is extended to everyone for the cards, phone calls, food, visits, flowers and the donations given in Edith’s memory. Thank you to the Turtleford Seniors for providing the lovely lunch following the service and a special thank you to Dale, Dave and McCaw Funeral Service for their compassionate handling of the funeral arrangements. Elizabeth and Bob George and Ferne Rosalie and John Donations in memory of Edith may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.