Margo Nielsen

Margo Nielsen, 76, of Fulton, Texas, passed away peacefully on November 10th, 2025, after a strenuous battle with brain cancer. Born on July 30th, 1949, to Eizenija Lapuke and Clark Nielsen on a military base in El Paso, Texas, Margo's early years were shaped by travel, adventure, and resilience. For the first 11 years of her life, she and her family traveled from one military base to another, across several states and even two countries. In 1960, Margo's mother brought her three children to Long Island, New York, where they finally put down roots. After graduating from Long Beach High School in 1967-and following a string of vibrant and eclectic jobs in the fashion and theater worlds-Margo pursued her true calling in design. She went on to earn her Master of Architecture from Pratt Institute in Manhattan in 1980, an achievement she carried with great pride. In 1982, while working in the architecture field, Margo met and fell in love with Richard Burke. Their connection was immediate and enduring, eight years later they welcomed their daughter, Laura Nielsen Burke. Margo's life was one defined by service, courage, and an unwavering work ethic. In 1993, after the devastation of Hurricane Andrew, she moved to Miami, Florida, to serve as a roofing inspector, helping communities rebuild after immense loss. When her work there was done, she relocated to Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1994 to reunite with her brother and his family. In Texas, Margo set out to build the life she had always dreamed of. By 2000, she proudly owned her own land and at least one horse-a deeply cherished milestone for a woman who grew up watching black-and-white westerns from cramped New York City apartments.

 Margo was preceded in death by her mother and stepfather, Eizenija and Haralds Noritis; her biological father, Clark H. Nielsen; her brother, Clark C. Nielsen; her sister, Randy Nielsen; and her partner, Richard Burke.

 She is survived by her daughter, Laura Burke; her niece, Stephanie Nielsen; her stepbrother, Glen Noritis (Carole); her stepsister, Ingrid Johnston (Steven); and her sister-in-law, Janis Nielsen. She leaves behind a family who will forever remember her humor, independence, creative spirit, deep love of animals, and boundless generosity.

Services will be held at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home in Rockport on Saturday, December 6th, 2025, at 2:00 pm. Please wear something colorful or floral print. 

In honor of Margo's lifelong love of animals, the family asks that donations be made in her memory to Aransas County Humane Society, Another Chance RFT, Cat Tales Rescue Texas, Wings Rescue Center, or Zuma's Rescue Ranch Colorado, in lieu of flowers.