Emma V. Nielsen

Lima

Emma V. Nielsen, 81, died at 10:20 p.m. Nov. 21, 2009, at St. Rita’s Medical Center.

She was born June 26, 1928, in Veblen, S.D., to Samuel John and Evelyn B. DuMarce Crawford, who preceded her in death. On May 28, 1951, she married John E. Nielsen, who died April 29, 1996.

Mrs. Nielsen was a member of New Hope Christian Center. She had worked 49 years in nursing at Bartron Hospital, Watertown, S.D.; Cook County Hospital, Chicago; and the Tuberculosis Hospital and St. Rita’s Medical Center, both in Lima. She retired from Lima Memorial Hospital after 37 years as a coronary care charge nurse. She was a former member of Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 370, Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 199 and Orioles Nest 173, Lima. She loved to read, was a friend to all and a mother to many. She was a full-blooded American Indian of the Sisseton Whapeton Sioux Tribe. She loved her trips to Tennessee with the “Golden Girls.”

Survivors include a son, James Nielsen, of Lima; a daughter, Jennifer (Ron Howard) Gordon, of Lima; an adopted daughter, Becky Murphy, of Lima; a sister, Evelyn “Baba” Dwimoh, of Silver Spring, Md.; a brother, Franklin Crawford, of Veblen, S.D.; four grandchildren, Ben (fiancée Elizabeth Ramsdell) Gordon, Aaron Gordon, Nathan Gordon and Kory Gordon; four stepgrandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Stella Nielsen; a sister-in-law, Joyce Gertsen; many nieces and nephews across the country; and her best friend for more than 50 years, Ester Golden.

She was preceded in death by a son, John D. Nielsen; two daughters, Joy Nielsen and Vickie Lynn Nielsen; five sisters, Mae Harlen, Dr. Blosson Keeble, Lillian Yammerino, Pauline Crawford and Yvonne Crawford; a brother, Cyrus Crawford; and two brothers-in-law, Ralph (Jean) Wood and Don Gertsen.

Services will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. The Rev. Jim Menke will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation.