Gladys Ellen Nielsen

Gladys Ellen Nielsen, the daughter of Fred and Emelia Steffensen Clemmensen, was born September 4, 1913 at the Bedstemor House in Elk Horn, Iowa and died September 9, 2008, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 95 years and 5 days.
Gladys was baptized September 5, 1913 and later confirmed at Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Audubon. At the age of 3, Gladys moved with the family to Audubon. She attended Audubon Community Schools, graduating with the High School Class of 1932. During high school Gladys enjoyed singing and was a member of the Glee Club.
On February 1, 1933, she was united in marriage to Evald (Pete) Nielsen at Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Audubon. One son Donald was born to this union. They operated several area farms, then purchased a farm northwest of Audubon. They operated a grain and livestock farm until they retired and moved into Audubon in the late 1960s. On March 16, 1998, Evald moved to the Friendship Home in Audubon. Pete died December 30, 1999. Gladys enjoyed her home, then moved to the Friendship Home.
Gladys was the oldest member of Ebenezer Lutheran Church west of Audubon. Gladys was very fond of music and could play the organ and piano by ear. She played the organ and Gladys Wiederstein played the piano at the Friendship Home entertaining the other residents. She also helped organize a sing-a-long at the Friendship Home.
Preceding her in death in addition to her husband were her parents; her infant brothers and sisters and her brothers and sisters: Emaline Clemmensen; Clarice and Everett Black, Imo and Leo Myers; Glen and Nettie Clemmensen and her brother-in-law Harley Schrader.
Survivors include her son Donald and Patricia Nielsen of Audubon, IA; her grandchildren: Randy Nielsen of Audubon; Lori and Jeff Ray of Overland Park, KS; and Mark Nielsen of Des Moines, IA; her step-grandchildren: Stan and Jill Smith of Austin, TX and Lt. Col. Randy and Eun Young Smith of South Korea; six great-grandchildren; 6 step-great grandchildren; her brothers and sisters: Lee and Betty Clemmensen and Milo and Dolores Clemmensen, all of Audubon; Darlene Schrader of Lincoln, NE; Nadine and Jerry Heiken of State College, PA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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

Visitation:
The family will meet friends Thursday evening at 6:00 at Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Paul Sorlien on Friday, September 12, 2008, at 10:30 A.M. at Ebenezer Lutheran Church west of Audubon.