Funeral services for Effie J. Nielsen, 91, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 18, 2026 at the United Methodist Church in Estherville with Pastor Kathy Kluis and Denny Ross, officiants. Interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Estherville.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Friday, July 17, 2026, at the Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel in Estherville.
Effie June Nielsen passed away peacefully to go to her heavenly home to be with our Dad on Monday, July 13, 2026.
Effie was born on April 6, 1935 to Hans and Flossie (Schenck) Jensen at Coleman Hospital in Estherville. Effie attended school in Wallingford through the 5th grade and then Estherville through high school graduating in June of 1953. Effie worked at G.W. Robinson Jewelry store while going to high school. Effie married Bernard Herbert (Herby) Nielsen on July 14, 1953 at the United Methodist Church in Estherville while Herby was home on leave from the Army. While Herby was in the Army Effie lived with her mother in Estherville until his discharge in 1955. In the Spring of 1955 they moved to Ringsted to work for State Representative, Neils J Nielsen during the summer. That winter, they moved to the “Home Place” west of Wallingford. Effie was a stay at home Mom and a farm wife, who worked side-by-side with her husband helping with the farming and livestock. You could always count on a “to do list” waiting during the spring and fall when the kids got home from school of chores to do.
Effie loved spending time with the family and had the nickname of “cookie grandma” with some of the great-grandkids and was especially known for her angel food cakes made from scratch. She always had cookies in the freezer ready for company. Effie found great pleasure in spending time with her cats. She always said they were her therapy and relaxation time. She always looked forward and enjoyed visits from the family and going to the races to watch Roger race. Effie was a member of the United Methodist Church.
Effie is survived by her children Coleen (Dean) Lundgren of Estherville, Kathleen Tirevold (special friend Scott) of Estherville, and Roger (Karmen) Nielsen of Fairmont; six grandchildren Jeff (Michelle) Lundgren, Mike Lundgren, Steve Lundgren, Kelly (Brett) Strenge, Brad (Alysha) Tirevold, and Randy Nielsen; great-grandchildren Madison, Brenden, Keegen, Dillon, Danica, Delaney, Braeden, Julia, Stella, and Maisie, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Herby in August 2021; her grandson Nicholas; and her parents.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.henryolsonfuneral.com.
