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Sharon Nielsen
SHARON NIELSEN
Anamosa
Sharon Nielsen, 72, died peacefully Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House, Hiawatha, surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Monticello, with interment in the Oakwood Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello, where a parish vigil service will be held at 3:30 p.m.
Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.
Surviving is her husband of 45 years, Paul; two daughters, Michelle (Bill) Thurman and their children, A.J. and Maleah, Dallas Center; and Heidi (Phil) Deutmeyer and their children, Macy and Bryce, Marion; her mother, Leona Martinsen, Monticello; her siblings, Larry (Mary Anne) Martinsen, Peoria, Ariz., Pat (William) Casey, Alburnett, and Mike (Diane) Martinsen, Monticello; and a brother-in-law, Greg Haas, Monticello.
She was preceded in death by her father, Larry Martinsen; and her sister, Lynne Haas.
Sharon was born on Sept. 10, 1942, to Larry and Leona Fothergill Martinsen. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1960. Sharon went to work at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids. She married Paul Nielsen on Aug. 9, 1969, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Monticello.
Sharon left Collins Radio to be a stay-at-home mom in 1971. In 1977 when the girls were both in school, she went back to work at the Sunshine Day Care and Rainbow Day Care. She retired in 2005. After retirement, she still volunteered at Rainbow Day Care because she loved the kids so much.
Since retirement, Sharon and Paul had traveled. They had been to South America, Africa, Europe and all over the United States. They square danced for 17 years with the Skirts and Shirts in Monticello. Sharon was an avid Hawkeye Women's Basketball fan and the couple rarely missed a home game. Sharon spent time playing cards with her many friends as well. Sharon loved her grandchildren and was famous for making her special pancakes and apple and peach pies.
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