Marilan Rae Nielsen

Marilan Rae Nielsen, the daughter of Alfred and Bernice Santage Steffen, was born July 16, 1933, at home in Royal, Iowa. Her childhood years were spent in Royal where she received her education, graduating from Royal High School.

 Marilan married Arnold James Nielsen on June 25, 1952, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Royal, Iowa. Following their marriage, they farmed south of Royal for five years until moving to Sioux Rapids where they continued to farm for 41 years. She was an active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, serving as Sunday School teacher, Women’s Circle and cooked for several weddings and funerals. Marilan also was a member of a Quilt Club. In her spare time, she enjoyed her flower garden, volunteering to take care of others, always with a generous heart. Most of all, Marilan loved spending time with her family. 

 Marilan passed away at the Ingleside Memory Care Center in Fairmont, MN on February 10, 2025, at the age of 91. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, two sisters: Betty Nattress and Glenda Hansen; daughter-in-law, Rebecca Nielsen; two granddaughters: Danyelle Rae Nielsen and Hannah Nielsen.

 She is survived by her two sons: Joel (LuAnn) Nielsen of Lakefield, MN and Robert Nielsen of Edgewood, NM; her daughter, Tereasa Lesch of Heron Lake, MN; 10 grandchildren: Matthew, Shane, Andrew, Luke, Joseph and Shayla Nielsen, Jesse (Patti) Mack, Jeremy and Brittany Beelner and Kassondra (Jason) Kellen; great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; three sisters: Jacklyn Lumbar of Minneapolis, MN, LaRae Helseth of Clairmont, FL and Sally Blom of Hot Springs, AR; other relatives and friends.