Mae Nielsen

Mae Nielsen

Mae Janette Quilling Nielsen, 80, unexpectedly passed away Feb. 26, 2009.

She was born to John and Bertie Hudson Quilling on July 21, 1928, in Hardin. Mae grew up in Montana and graduated from the Eureka High School.

She then attended Bible College in Scottsbluff, Neb., where she met and fell in love with Don Nielsen. They subsequently married on Dec. 24, 1949. Don was a minister, and they pastored in Nebraska, Oregon, South Dakota and Montana. In 1998, they retired to Kalispell.

Mae enjoyed crafts, crocheting, cooking, giving parties for her friends and gardening, and she always was active in her church. She enjoyed the babies and toddlers, helping in the nursery and teaching toddlers Sunday school, and was involved in Bible studies and women’s groups. Mae delighted in her family, spending time with them, going to school and sports events, camping and just being together.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Edith Patrick and Marjorie Graber.

She is survived by her husband; children Donna Conrad and husband Bob, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Eldon Nielsen and wife Ellen, of Kalispell, Marilyn Dierman and husband Dennis, of Eureka, and Melvin Nielsen and wife Connie, of Whitefish; grandchildren Don Conrad, Joe and Heidi Conrad, David and Charity Nielsen, Carolyn and Joshua Salyer, Kayleen Sperry, Kristopher Sperry, Jason Sperry, Brad Nielsen, Jeremy Nielsen, and Megan Nielsen; nine great grandchildren; and brothers and sisters Bob and Yvonne Quilling, Ray and Allaine Quilling, Dorothy Sheppard, and Lois and Dwight Houchen.

Graveside service took place March 4, 2009 at Tobacco Valley Cemetery in Eureka.