Mrs. Bernie A. Nielsen, 83, found peace on March 22, 2010 at WFH – All Saints.

She was born in Minneapolis, MN on February 13, 1927, the daughter of James and Mary (nee: Coughlin) McManus. Most of her childhood was spent in Canada before moving to Racine in 1946. On July 31, 1963, she married Harry W. Nielsen in Racine.

Mrs. Nielsen retired from Wisconsin Bell after 35 years of employment. After her retirement, she worked part time at O&H Bakery. She was active with the Telephone Pioneers and volunteered with the Junior Masters, the Racine Literacy Council, Ridgewood Care Center and was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.

In addition to her husband, Harry, Mrs. Nielsen is survived by her daughter, Mary Nielsen of Oak Creek; her son and daughter-in-law, Timothy and Barbara (nee: Grabow) Nielsen; grandchildren, Katherine, Emily and Timothy Nielsen, Jr. all of Columbia, SC; three sisters, Margaret (Ralph) Mulroy of San Diego, CA, Phyllis (Chester) Roszkowski of Racine, Mary (Victor) Kirsch of Eden Prairie, MN; sister-in-law, Marjorie McManus of Eau Claire, WI; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends. Mrs. Nielsen was also preceded in death by her brothers and their wives, John (Patricia), Gerry (Iva) and Douglas McManus.

Family and friends are invited to meet at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church (6400 Spring St.) on Monday, March 29, 2010 at 10 a.m. for the celebration of her life and funeral mass with Rev. William Dietzler officiating. There will be a visitation at the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Sunday afternoon from 3-5 p.m. and again in the church on Monday morning from 9-10 a.m. A private burial will take place at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to St. Paul the Apostle, the Junior Masters or the Alzheimer's Association.