Alpha Fern Strempke Nielsen

Alpha Fern Strempke Nielsen 1926 ~ 2009 CLINTON - Alpha Nielsen, 82, passed away Saturday, January 10, 2009 in Ogden, surrounded by her loving family.She was born December 3, 1926 in Jesup, Iowa, the third and youngest child of Frank and Hattie Strempke. She graduated from West High School in Waterloo, Iowa and was in the first Wartburg College Parish Workers graduating class. She went on to do Parish Work for the Lutheran Church in Oregon, Washington and California. While working in Los Angeles, California, she met and later married Glade B. Nielsen on October 15, 1955. They soon moved to Roy, Utah and began their home building business. Glade preceded her in death on March 7, 2001. Alpha was involved in the PTA, Elks, Chamber of Commerce and held several offices in both the National and Local Home Builders Association. For years she was involved in the Republican Women's Organization and was supportive of all of Glade's political endeavors. She was an active member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church serving in many capacities and holding several offices on the church council including being the first woman president of the congregation. She served many years as the Sunday School Superintendent, was past leader of the Children's Choir and was an essential part of the Women of the ELCA. For years she produced the Church Newsletter on her typewriter at home. She organized many fund raisers and was in charge of the "Food for the Needy" and the "Mitten Tree" at her church. She was active in, and past secretary of, the Church Woman United Organization. She was known as "The Church Lady". Alpha and Glade traveled extensively, overseas and in the United States as well as on many cruises. They were with the group in Budapest when the Olympics were awarded to Salt Lake City. Alpha enjoyed spending time at the family cabin at Bear Lake and was a long time Utah Jazz season ticket holder - a true Jazz fanatic. She was very proud of her children who survive her: Karen (Brent) Larsen, Sharon (Walt) Hokanson, Roger (Shelly) Nielsen and Laurie (Craig) Hall. She was also proud of her 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren with one due in March. She is also survived by her sister, LaVonne (Harry) Stief. Alpha was preceded in death by her husband, son Lance Nielsen, parents, and brother Vernon Strempke. Funeral services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Lindquist's Roy Mortuary, 3333 W. 5600 S., with Pastor Chuck Sabin officiating. Friends may call at the mortuary on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Interment, Roy City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Alpha's name to Our Savior's Lutheran Church Building Fund, 5560 South 2300 West, Roy, UT 84067. Send condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com