Evelyn May Nissen

Evelyn May Nissen, the daughter of Emil and Emily Bartlett Wiges, was born August 3, 1916, at her parents home east of Exira, Iowa and passed away with her family surrounding her January 18, 2009, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 92 years, 10 months, and 10 days.
Evelyn was baptized at a Ladies Aid meeting and confirmed at the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church in Exira. She attended school in Exira for a short time, then moved to Audubon and attended Audubon Community Schools, graduating with the High School Class of 1934. During high school she was a member of the basketball team which played in the State Tournament in 1931, 1932 and 1933. Following graduation she was employed at Nielsens Ben Franklin and then later at the Coast to Coast Store while Fred was serving in World War II.
On April 27, 1941, she was united in marriage to Fredrick W. Nissen at the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon. They lived on her parents farm southwest of Hamlin from 1941-1945. Fred enlisted in the U.S. Navy SeaBees. Evelyn lived on the farm and cared for her flower and vegetable gardens and also watched the livestock. When Fred was discharged they returned to farming in Audubon County.
In 1958 they purchased a farm southeast of Audubon. They lived on the farm until retiring and moved into Audubon in 1988 when they sold the farm. They enjoyed their home in Circle Drive, before moving to the Friendship Home in August of 2007.
Evelyn became a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon on April 21, 1935. She taught Sunday School, served on the Board of Deacons, and was a member of Sarah Circle. She was a member of the Pythian Sisters and the American Legion Auxiliary. She always enjoyed working with her mother at the Audubon County Fair in the Floral Hall Department. One of Evelyn and Freds fondest memories was spending their 60th wedding anniversary in Estes Park, CO with their entire family. Evelyn loved entertaining, baking and decorating cakes, gardening, and dancing, but above all was her love for her children and grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her grandson Scott Steven Byriel; her parents; cousins that were raised with Evelyn: Bill Wiges, Harry Wiges and Franklin Wiges.
Survivors include her husband Fredrick W. Nissen of Audubon, IA; her children: Dennis N. and wife Linda Nissen of Griswold, IA; Sherry and husband Steven Byriel of Atlantic, IA; Rick D. Nissen and wife Alyssa Krissen of Berthoud, CO; her grandchildren: Angela Zimmerman and husband Dr. Richard Swayze of Washington, D.C.; Sarah and husband David Farnsworth of Granger, IA; Stephanie Byriel of Naperville, IL and Gregory Nissen of Berthoud, CO; her cousin: Mildred Thompson who was raised with Evelyn; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Memorials:
The family prefers memorials to the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon, Iowa

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon.

Visitation:
The family will meet friends Wednesday evening at 6:00 P.M. at Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon. The family prefers memorials to the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon, Iowa

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Kay E. Steddom on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. at First Presbyterian Church in Audubon, IA.