Elva Nielsen

Elva B. Nielsen was born February 8, 1925 in Mt. Vernon SD to Joseph and Julia Runestad. She attended grade school near Highmore, SD and later attended high school at Augustana Academy in Canton, SD where she graduated in 1943. It was at the Academy she met Adolph T. Nielsen, her husband of fifty years. They were married October 22, 1943 in Beloit, Wisconsin. Adolph enlisted in the US Army-Air Force in 1944. Elva subsequently lived with family members while caring for their new baby Marilyn, who was born in September of 1944. After Adolph's discharge, they lived in Albert Lea MN until 1947, when they moved to Waterloo IA where Adolph worked as a pattern maker until his retirement in 1981. While living in Waterloo and Cedar Falls the family grew to include Lynn born in 1947; Marlys in 1949; Maren in 1951; Jerel in 1953; and Curtis in 1962. All six children were confirmed at Nazareth Lutheran Church where both Adolph and Elva actively participated. In 1954 the Nielsen family moved from Waterloo to Cedar Falls where all six children were enrolled at Malcolm Price Laboratory School. Elva and Adolph attended events at MPLS for over 40 years as their youngest son Curtis was just completing high school when their first granddaughter Annelie (Nielsen) Heinen began her schooling. In addition to caring for her family, Elva provided child care for a number of other families, sold Avon products for many years, cooked for the Thursday Fellowship at Nazareth Church and served as an election board official. She also enjoyed craft work, sewing, cooking, baking, wood working, refinishing antique furniture and traveling to visit friends and relatives. In May of 2000, while visiting her daughter Marlys Austin and family in Virginia, Elva had a stroke that left her without speech or the use of her right side. She subsequently moved to the Lutheran Home of Cedar Falls where she continued learning to live with the limitations of the stroke. In time she taught herself how to use a sewing machine and for over six years she spent countless hours working in the sewing room the Lutheran Home staff graciously provided her. Among her many projects, she made quilted lap blankets, pillows, wall hangings and placemats. Elva passed away on August 20, 2013 at the age of 88. She was preceded in death by her husband Adolph (1993), her parents, three brothers, and five sisters. Elva is survived by her six children, Marilyn Voorhis and her husband Dave of Longmont CO; Lynn Nielsen and his wife Mary of Cedar Falls IA; Marlys Austin and her husband Sim of Avon CT; Maren Nielsen of Wichita KS; Jerel Nielsen and his wife Yvonne of Windsor CO; Curtis Nielsen and his wife Janet of Cedar Falls IA; 10 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Among her many personal characteristics, Elva will be remembered for her persistence, determination and hard work. While she spent the first portion of her adult life teaching her children how to live, she spent the last years of her life teaching them how to live well in the face of adversity—truly a living legacy. Proverbs 31: 27-28 provides a fitting summary of Elva's life: "She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed." Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Nazareth Lutheran Church Chapel in Cedar Falls with private family interment in Greenwood Cemetery prior to the service. Visitation from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at NewAldaya Lifescapes. Memorials may be directed to NewAldaya Lifescapes.

Elva Nielsen

February 8, 1925 - August 20, 2013