Obituary of Phyllis Nielsen
A Celebration of Life Service for Phyllis Nielsen, age 87, of Milford, will be held Saturday, June 20, 2020 at 11:00AM at the Downtown Church in Milford (2105 N Ave.). Visitation with the family will be from 9:30AM-11:00 at the church.
Interment will be a private family service at Waterford Cemetery in Everly.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will support Diana Langerock, Missionary to Africa through Campus Crusade for Life. CRU #0029151
Phyllis A. Nielsen, daughter of Albert and Louise Van Enter (Dykstra) was born March 20, 1932 in Parker, South Dakota. She and her brother Norman were raised on their family dairy farm just west of Fostoria. She graduated from Spencer High School and went on to earn her training as a dental hygienist.
On February 14, 1953, Phyllis married Donald E. Nielsen of Everly. Together they farmed on three local areas spending close to 30 years on the Century Nielsen family farm in Dickinson County where they created a loving home for six children and dozens of foster children.
Phyllis held a wide variety of jobs and volunteer positions. The most notable as an Ag in the Classroom teacher for the American Farm Bureau, her tireless work as a child advocate for the Iowa Foster & Adoptive Parents Association and as a Tupperware District Manager.
She served the First Reformed Church of Clay County as an organist and organized the content of the Centennial history memoir. She was a 4-H leader, skilled seamstress and farmer’s wife.
She especially enjoyed traveling with Donald across the US to reunions of his 503rd Military Unit and joining Farm Bureau members as agricultural ambassadors to several countries including, Argentina, Italy & Ireland. Other special trips took them to The Canary Islands, Denmark and on a Hawaiian Cruise.
Phyllis, age 87 was sung into God’s arms surrounded by her loving family on March 10, just shy of her 88th birthday. Beloved wife for 60 years to the late Donald E. Nielsen (2013). Loving mother of Denise Swinbank (Jeff), Sheryl Phipps (David), LyNae Schleyer (late Charles), Douglas Nielsen (LaCinda), late Lori Nielsen, Terrijean Nielsen. Cherished grandmother of 9 and great-grandmother of 7. Dear sister of Norman Van Enter. Fond aunt of many nieces and nephews. Foster Mother to dozens.
