Irene Nielsen age 87 of Clinton, passed away on Monday, March 8, 2021 in Phoenix, AZ. A Gathering of family and friends will take place from 11 AM to 1 PM on Saturday, July 10th at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Clinton. Funeral services will follow at 1 PM at the church. Burial will be at Miles Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers are Matthew and Mark Hunter, Nathan Edman, Christopher and Alex Chekal, Spencer Taylor, and Alex Brown. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com.
Irene Orpha Nielsen was born on June 1, 1933 in Andover, IA, the daughter of Herbert and Orpha (Bratthauer) Werner. She graduated from Miles High School in 1951 and attended Wartburg College. Irene married Norman Nielsen on June 17, 1956 in Andover. Norman passed away on March 10, 1966. Irene was an elementary teacher in both Clinton and Chelsea, IA. She also worked as a clerk at Petersen-Von Maur; a billing clerk at Nielsen Coupon Clearing; and also a clerk at Clinton City Assessor’s Office, retiring in 1998. Irene was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, a board member for the Benevolent Society, and a volunteer at Mercy Auxiliary. She enjoyed crocheting, reading, puzzles, and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Irene is survived by her three daughters, Marcia (James) Edman and Andrea (Michael) Hunter both of Phoenix, AZ and Renee (Michael) Chekal of Glenwood, IA; nine grandchildren ; four great grandsons; her sister, Ramona VonSprecken of Maquoketa, sisters-in-law Carol Christiansen of Miles and Judy Werner of Morrison IL, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Norman; a granddaughter Mackenzie Hunter; 4 brothers and 2 sisters. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Clinton or Benevolent Society.
This is a neighbor you would all like to have next to you. I remember when Irene moved into her home on her birthday in 1966. There were all kinds of pickup trucks unloading her belongings. We hid off right away and with her 3 girls and my 3 girls they also had someone to play with.
It is still had to believe that she has passed and I will miss dearly.
Love to You Irene. Girls, Blessings to You in the loss of your wonderful Mom.
I worked with Irene at Nielsens in the billing department. She was one of the nicest people to work with. My sincere sympathy to her family.
Our journey with Irene began in the fall of 1951, when she and Janet enrolled at Wartburg College, and roomed together in Wartburg Hall the two years that Irene was there. Irene matriculated with a two-year teaching certificate. She and Janet remained fast friends, being an attendant at Irene’s weeding, keeping in touch through all these years. I was a year ahead of them at Wartburg, so have been a part of that friendship, too–including the sadness of Norm’s death in a silo gas accident when Andrea, their youngest daughter was only about three years old. I was invited to officiate at the weddings of all three daughters. Along the way, we knew Irene’s parents, as well. Her oldest sister, Marian, was head of the kitchen at Wartburg Seminary while I was a student there. Her sister, Ramona, was a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Andrew, while I was pastor there.
We thank God for Irene, for her family and for the honor of being part of this beautiful family, still. Our deepest sympathy to them and to all who were touched by Irene’s life.