Martha L. Nielsen

Martha L. Nielsen, age 97, of Alta, Iowa died Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at Sunset Knoll Care Center in Aurelia, Iowa. Memorial services will be held Friday, August 25, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Alta. Burial will follow in the Scandinavian Cemetery in rural Alta. Visitation will be Thursday, August 24, 2017 from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Alta. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Alta is in charge of the arrangements. Martha Lenora Vesgaard was born July 10, 1920 in Alta, Iowa the daughter of Niels and Maren (Jensen) Vesgaard. As an infant, she was baptized and later confirmed at the Nain Lutheran Church in Newell. Growing up, Martha attended school in Alta where she graduated from Alta High School in 1939. On September 17, 1944, Martha was united in marriage to Charles Victor Nielsen in Cotati, California. Together, they were blessed with three children: Diane, Peter, and Robert. Martha was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Alta. She also belonged to Alta Golf and Country Club. Martha enjoyed playing cards, especially Bridge. She was a member of two different Bridge Clubs and card clubs. Gardening and canning were a favorite pastime of Martha’s. She loved planting flowers, golfing, reading and cooking. In her spare time, she enjoyed travelling to California and Colorado. Family was very important to Martha and she treasured the time she was able to entertain her family and friends. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Those left to cherish her memory include her children: Diane Pedersen of Alta, Iowa; Peter (Cindy) Nielsen of Alta, Iowa; Robert (Jane) Nielsen of Alta, Iowa; grandchildren: Lisa (Craig) Lewis; Ronald (Kelli) Pedersen; Tyler (Cara) Pedersen; Adam (Kara) Nielsen; Jon (Katherine) Nielsen; Luke (Brooke) Nielsen; Lacey (Lee) Anderson; great grandchildren: Ethan and Zackary Lewis; Kodey, Kash, and Kerrigan Pedersen; Tenley and Kace Nielsen; Brynn Nielsen; Kendall and Kinley Nielsen; Sage, Sawyer, and Baby Girl Anderson; Parker, Brock, and Addison Pedersen; sister, Betty O’Bannon; nieces; nephews; extended family and friends. Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Niels and Maren Vesgaard; parents-in-law; husband, Charles Nielsen; brothers: Morton (Louise) Vesgaard; Reynhert (Doris) Vesgaard; sister, Edna Vesgaard Elwood Loving; brother-in-law, Roger O’Bannon; son-in-law, Al Pedersen.

Martha L. Nielsen

July 10, 1920 - August 22, 2017