Marcella Nielsen

Marcella Nielsen, formerly of Dawson, died April 26, 2020 at Park View Care Center in Buffalo, MN at the age of 92.

A memorial service is planned in Dawson, Minnesota, on Saturday, May 30th at 11:30 AM at Grace Lutheran Cemetery.  Arrangements are with Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson.

Marcella Rose (Martens) Nielsen, age 92, died peacefully on April 26, 2020, at Park View Care Center in Buffalo, Minnesota.  Marcy was born in Ash Lake Township, Lincoln County, Minnesota, on September 11, 1927, daughter of Carl and Margaret (Johnsen) Martens.

Marcy loved school!  She started 1st grade just before her 5th birthday and she had no trouble keeping up with her classmates. After graduating from 8th grade, she wanted to continue on through high school so she could become a teacher.  Since there were no buses at that time, her parents were not able to transport her to and from high school so she moved to St. Louis Park and worked as a nanny.  She later returned to the Hendricks area and worked at an egg plant with her cousin.

Marcy was united in marriage to Carol Eugene Nielsen on November 23, 1945, in Ivanhoe, Minnesota. They lived near Fairmont, Minnesota after their marriage where Carol worked as a farm hand. Their first daughter, Karen, was born in 1946.  They moved to Lake Benton, Minnesota, where son, Harlan, was born in 1947. They rented a farm near Morris, Minnesota, where daughter, Leann, was born in 1949.  Third daughter, Judy, was born in 1953 when they lived on a farm near Elbow Lake, MN.  In 1956, they purchased a farm near Evansville, Minnesota.  Their 5th child, James, was born in 1958. They continued farming until 1966, when they sold the farm and moved to Dawson, Minnesota. 

Carol and Marcy worked very hard during their years on the farm.  She raised a large garden and canned many jars of vegetables each year for her growing family.  She made the best fried chicken in the world!  She loved life best when her family was together, especially during the holidays. She taught Sunday School classes at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Evansville, was a member of a Women’s Circle, and did quilting while a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Dawson. She enjoyed doing embroidery and made sets of dish towels for all of her children and grandchildren.

Marcy worked at the Elbow Lake Hospital during their years in Evansville.  After their move to Dawson, she worked at the hospital, later at the Cenex restaurant until retiring in 1988. 

She loved to dance to waltzes and polkas. She wouldn’t let Carol sit down between dance numbers when they were young.  When they moved to Dawson, they learned to square dance.  After they retired, Carol and Marcy traveled extensively in their motorhome throughout the United States and Canada. They square danced in every state, including Alaska and Hawaii, and many Canadian Provinces.  They enjoyed spending winters in Florida, where they made many new friends.  Summers were spend in Minnesota where they enjoyed spending time with their children, grandchildren and friends.  When Marcy was diagnosed with a rare blood disease in the late 90s, they moved to Lakeland RV Park in Lakeland, Florida, and that became their home until they moved to Park Terrace Assisted Living in Buffalo, Minnesota in January, 2015.  While living in Lakeland, they were active members of Reformation Lutheran Church.  When able to do so, they faithfully attended church services at Park Terrace Chapel. 

Marcy loved baseball.  While living in Florida, she cheered on the Florida Rays.  When she and Carol moved to Minnesota, they became avid Twins fans. They loved playing bingo and attending the activities offered at Park Terrace.  

Marcy is survived by children: Karen (Ron) Larson of Crosslake, MN, Harlan (Sue) Nielsen of Casa Grande, AZ, LeAnn Fremo (Peter March) of Buffalo, MN, Judy (Steve) Thompson of Roper, NC, 11 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, 8 great-great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Caroline (Art) Shook, many nieces, nephews and friends.  

Marcy was preceded in death by: loving husband of 73 years, Carol, on August 19, 2019, youngest son, Jimmy, in 1976, granddaughter, Jenny, son-in-law Dennis Fremo, great-granddaughter, Brittany, sister Norma, brother Duane, brothers-in-law Howard, Walter, Erwin, Earl, Harry, Sisters-in-law Delores, Edith, Tess, Katherine, Gladys, Esther, Betty, nephews Warren Shook and Kevin Martens.   

Blessed be her memory.