RACINE – Mrs. Lucille Mae Nielsen, 92, passed away at St. Monica’s Senior Living on Wednesday, September 16, 2015.
Lucille was born in Racine on July 26, 1923, the daughter of Ralph and Alice (nee: Mand) Yerdon. She graduated from Washington Park High School in 1941. Two years later, she married Carl Verner Nielsen on October 23, 1943 in Monroe, LA.
Lucille retired from J.I. Case Corporation in 1985. She was a longtime member of the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection. Lucille’s passion was promoting literacy. For 35 years she served as a trainer and tutor with the Racine Literacy Council. She also served for Pro-Literacy Worldwide and for WINGS in the Racine Unified School District.
Lucille is survived by her daughters, Carla (Jim) Wilks of Racine, Christine (Scott) Olsen of Sturtevant, Cathryn McDowell of Burlington, Connie (Mike) Suwalski of Racine; his grandchildren, Elizabeth Wilks, Jenny Workman, David (Kathy) Wilks, Lisa Wright, Jennifer (Tom) Cramsie, Michelle Wright, Benjamin Murphy, Sarah (Chris) Haase, Jessica (Chris) Lodes, Amanda Suwalski, Lindsey (Adam) Tippery, Brian Olsen; 16 great grandchildren, brother-in-law, Arnold Froode, and many nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by her son-in-law, Tom McDowell; as well as her sister and brothers, George (Irene) Yerdon, Carol Froode and Ralph Yerdon.
A private service remembering and honoring Lucille’s life took place at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection on Sunday, September 20, 2015. Rev. Arthur Bergren officiated. She will be interred, with her husband Carl, at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove. Memorials are encouraged to the Racine Literacy Council (734 Lake Avenue in Racine). Condolences to the family may be made at www.draeger-langendorf.com.
The Nielsen family sincerely thanks Dr. Brady Welsh and his staff, as well as St. Monica’s Senior Living and Hospice Alliance for the compassionate, kind and dignified attention our mom received while under their care.
Bill Bengtson says
Elba and I send along our condolences and prayers for God’s comfort. The Bengtson family appreciated Lucille through the growing up years with activities and ministries at Messiah Church as well as in the community.
Hello to all the family. And to Carla and Jim, if there is a Park reunion next summer we hope to see you there!
Bill and Elba Bengtson
Joyce Springmann says
Lucille was a wonderful lady whose faith and enthusiasm was evident in all she did. I worked with her at RLC beginning in 1998. She was always positive and open-minded,and was dedicated to training new volunteer tutors. She had high standards and looked for the best in others. She has had a positive influence on my life and the lives of many.