Margaret Jahn-Nielsen

Margaret Jahn-Nielsen was born Margaret Ann Pratt in Moorhead, Iowa, the second of seven children of Earl and Edith (Shoff) Pratt. Friends and family fondly recall her many stories of growing up and attending school in that small, western Iowa town.

In 1943, she married Edwin C. Jahn of nearby Ute, Iowa, and the young couple headed to California, where Ed began his service in the U.S. Navy. During WW II, Margaret stayed on in California, working in various industries and agencies assisting the war effort until she was about to have a child. Jerald was born in 1945, as Ed was finishing his tour of duty in the Pacific.

After the war, Margaret and her family settled in Sioux City. Her daughter, Barbara, was born in 1949, and Ed pursued a career in sales and management, working his way up to managing partner of Graham Brake & Co. and ultimately a vice president of First Federal Savings and Loan in Sioux City, a position he held until his death in 1973.

Margaret remained in Sioux City, an active member of numerous civic, volunteer and church organizations, including the P.E.O. Sisterhood, the T.T.T. Society, Saint Luke's Good Samaritan, Saint Luke's Auxiliary, and Morningside Lutheran Church. She also worked for Frankl Agricultural Consultants and for the Pratt-Younglove employment agency during this period.

In 1984, she became reacquainted with Ken Nielsen, also of Moorhead and a recent widower. They were married for five years, until his death in 1989. Ken was President/CEO of Farmland Industries in Kansas City. When he retired in 1986, Margaret and he moved back to Sioux City.

In 2001, due to growing health issues, Margaret joined her daughter and son-in-law in Atlantic, where she ultimately took up residence in Heritage House.

To all who knew her through the various stages of her eventful life, Margaret was a good and devoted friend. She was of a time and background that valued civility, generosity and kindness; and she prized this behavior in herself and others. She never lost her capacity for laughter; her keen interest in the affairs of life, great and small; and her love of a "good visit" with a family member or friend.

Her many friends recall her love of conversation; her wide-ranging interest in local and world affairs; the deep pleasure she took in golf, books and crossword puzzles; her delight in the successes of the Iowa Hawkeyes; and her pride in her children and their accomplishments.

Margaret is survived by her daughter, Barbara Chase and her husband, David Chase, of Atlantic, Iowa; son Jerald D. Jahn of Phoenix, Arizona and his wife, Elizabeth Langland and their family; brothers Earl Pratt, Jr. of Sioux City; Jack Pratt of Washington state; Robert Pratt of Sioux City; her sister, Charlotte Edwards of Derby, Kansas; sisters-in-law Jeanne Pratt of Moorhead and Kathryn Nutt of Sioux City; two step-daughters, Katherine Buchman and Pamella Nielsen; as well as step grandchildren, a step great-grandchild, and numerous nieces, nephews and their families.

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by everyone.

- January 13, 2010

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at her home church, St. Paul's Lutheran in Atlantic, Iowa, with an additional funeral ceremony at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel in Sioux City, Iowa, at 3:30 p.m. (Wednesday). Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Sioux City, Iowa.

There will be a visitation from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 12, 2010, at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic, Iowa.

Memorial contributions in memory of Margaret Jahn-Nielsen can be made to: Special Olympics Iowa, Box 620, Grimes, IA 50111 or to Cass County Memorial Hospital Home Care/Hospice, 1500 E. 10th Street, Atlantic, IA 50022.