Maryellen Nielsen

MaryEllen Nielsen MaryEllen Nielsen, age 89, passed away peacefully after a short illness on Thursday, December 1, 2005 at St. Joseph's Medical Center. MaryEllen was born in Kansas City, MO on September 16, 1916. She graduated from Stadium High School and attended the College of Puget Sound. She was an active member of the University Place Presbyterian Church where she taught Kindergarten Sunday School for over three decades, instilling her pride and integrity in the next generations. The church was also her social outlet - Prime Timers, pinochle, and lunches with friends. She recently moved into Tobey Jones Retirement Center where she continued to win at pinochle. MaryEllen was involved in the popcorn/peanuts and taffy concessions at the Western Washington Fair for over 60 years - her license plates said it all: Peanuts & Popkorn. It was both her vocation and her avocation. As a home economics major, she sought work experiences that let her build on that passion - demonstrating to others how to iron, cook and create. She was involved in Eastern Star and Daughters of the Nile. MaryEllen was preceded in death by her loving husband of over 50 years, Chester Alfred Nielsen. She is survived by her children Dr. SusanEllen Bacon and her husband Jim, Richard Alfred Nielsen and his wife Carm, and Paul Ira Nielsen and his wife Patty; her grandchildren: Jace Bacon, Aaron Bacon, Christy Nielsen, Eric Nielsen, Nels Nielsen and Lars Nielsen; and four great-grandchildren: Mitchell, Miranda, Molly and Maggie Bacon. Eastern Star service will be held at 11:00am, Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at the graveside, Old Tacoma Cemetery. Reception to follow at the University Place United Presbyterian Church on West 27th. Flowers may be sent to New Tacoma Funeral Home, or donations can be made to the Kindergarten Sunday School Program at University Place Presbyterian Church. Those who knew MaryEllen know that she preferred pink to black. Mourners are encouraged to forego traditional black for a touch of pink.