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Nielson, Luella Ruth
Luella Ruth Nielson, 91, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011, at The Meth-Wick Community. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, with the Rev. Lloyd Brockmeyer officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. Saturday. A private committal service will be held in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Due to recent construction, it is required that visitors to Cedar Memorial enter making a right turn from westbound First Avenue (heading toward downtown).
Survivors include her children, Kathleen (David) Taylor of Marion and John (Doris) Nielson of New Berlin, Wis.; grandsons, Daniel (Jodi) Taylor, Anthony (Brandy) Taylor, Joseph (Jessica) Taylor, Jonathan (Erin) Taylor, James D. Taylor, Christopher Nielson, Peter (Annie) Nielson and Brian Nielson; and great-grandchildren, Dustin, Dylan, Bryce, Bryan, Taylor, Seth, Kaylie, Calvin, Jacob and Benjamin.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, James Allen; and sister, Emma Allen.
Ruth was born May 28, 1920, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Raymond C. and Luella (Juhl) Allen. She married Jack D. Piper in 1945 and they were blessed with Kathy and John. Jack passed away in 1952. Ruth remarried in 1959 to James C. Nielson, who adopted Kathy and John. They lived in Cedar Rapids, Raleigh, N.C., and Olathe, Kan., returning to Cedar Rapids after retirement.
She had a lifelong love of music and was an accomplished flutist with many students. She participated in musical groups, including community orchestras and music clubs. She served for many years on the Cedar Rapids Community Concerts board. Church was central to her life, including UMW and the Family Fellowship class at St. Paul's. She enjoyed her involvement in PEO and the many friendships over the years.
The family wishes to express their thanks and gratitude to the caring staff at Meth-Wick, first on the assisted living unit and finally at the Woodlands, and to Essence of Life Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.
Memorials may be made to Essence of Life Hospice, Amana, Iowa; The Meth-Wick Foundation; or St. Paul's United Methodist Church.
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Published Sept. 30, 2011, in The Gazette
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