Mary Jean Nielsen

Mary Jean Nielsen, 78, of Dell Rapids passed away Thursday, August 27, 2009.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 2:00 PM Monday, August 31, 2009 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Dell Rapids. Burial will be in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation with the family present will be at 2:00 PM and a Wake Service at 4:00 PM Sunday at Minnehaha Funeral Home in Dell Rapids.

Mary Jean was born September 14, 1930 in Dell Rapids to parents Fred and Philomena (Broghammer) Munk. She was raised in the Dell Rapids area and received her education in the St. Mary school systems. She worked for a short period of time at the Ben Franklin store.

Mary Jean married Leroy Nielsen February 3, 1948 at St. Mary Catholic Church. The couple farmed and raised their family west of Dell Rapids. They lived on the same farm for 50 years before moving into Dell Rapids 10 years ago. Mary Jean was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and Altar Society. Family meant everything to her. Their home was always the hub for activities and gatherings. Her grandchildren and great-grandchild were very special to her, spending much quality time together. She initiated a tradition that the first great-grandchild of each family received a new red Radio Flyer wagon. Mary Jean was noted for her never ending supply of baked goods. She never missed an opportunity to have family, neighbors and friends over to sample her goodies.


Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Leroy, Dell Rapids; son, Dr. James (Karen), Dell Rapids; daughter, Susan (Don) Hilmoe, Madison, SD; sons, Paul (Rosalie), Dell Rapids; Terry (Renee), Dell Rapids; fifteen grandchildren, Angela (Carl) and their children, Andrew; Marcus; and Lucas; Laurie (Jason) and their children, Rachael and Owen; Ryan; Rebecca (Craig); Jared; Eric (Meredith); Seth (Brooke) and their child, Holden; Zach (Karen) and their children, Thane; Zoey; Dawson; and Brielle; Charity and her child, Elijah; Tom (Ashley) and their children, Gable and Autumn; Paul; Kiley (Adam) and their child, Logan; Jamie; Katie; sister, Janet (Francis) Franzen, Ossian, IA; special friend, Vivian Murphy; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Mary Jean was preceded in death by her parents; an infant, Steven in 1961; grandchild, Jonathon; and brother, Mel Munk.