Marie Nielsen, 90, of Lena, Illinois passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at the FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport, Illinois, while surrounded by her family. She was born on September 2, 1926 to Andreas and Kirstine Kirkegaard in Vindum, Denmark. She married Augie Nielsen on May 16, 1948 in Vindum.
Augie and Marie immigrated to the United State in 1950 and proudly became naturalized citizens in May of 1956. They farmed in the Freeport area, Pearl City, and north of Lena until building a home in Lena in 1980. Marie was involved with Home Extension, 4-H and was an excellent seamstress, even tailoring, in addition to knitting and crocheting. An accomplished hostess, cook, and baker, she was famous for her chocolate chip cookies. She relished doing book work for the farm and household. They belonged to the Lutheran church in Freeport, and then Lena. Marie was involved with several church groups including Sunday school and as a Bible School teacher, Bethel Bible leader, and women's and couple's Bible studies. She enjoyed singing alto in church choirs. Marie was involved with the Lena Historical Society, Lena Thrift Shop, square dancing, vegetable and flower gardening, and had recently founded a Ladies Movie Day. Marie supervised at the Lena Drive Inn and was well known at Engle's Jewelry Store. Marie and Augie enjoyed traveling in the US to visit their children and grandchildren's activities, as well as historical and nature sites. They have gladly hosted many Danish relatives and have made several trips back to Denmark. She maintained close contact with her Danish family. Their home was always welcoming to friends and neighbors.

Marie is survived by her husband Augie Nielsen of Lena; three children-Kris (Donald) Allen of Rockford, Jon Nielsen of Belvidere, IL, and Alice Whalen of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren- Steven (Amy) Allen of Batavia, IL, Katrina (Michael) McSweeney of North Wales, PA, David (Holly) Allen of Grandville, MI, Michael (Ann Mooney) Whalen of Colorado Springs, CO, April (Kevin) Breeden of Manheim, PA, Nichelle (Matt Dix) Whalen of Beverly, MA; great-grandchildren- Rebecca Allen, 1 ½ , Elizabeth McSweeney, 4 ½, Jaden Allen ,9 ½ , Andreas Allen, 6, John Breeden, 7, Kelsey Breeden ,4; siblings- Frede Kirkegaard, Meta Simonsen, Lisbeth Andersen, and Kristian Kirkegaard.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings-Emma Kirkegaard, Dina Kirkegaard, Martin Kirkegaard, Ejnar Kirkegaard, and Olga Kirkegaard, son-in-law Tom Whalen, granddaughter-in-law Jennifer Whalen.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lena, IL.

Visitation will be held from 3-7:00 PM on Monday, April 3, 2017 at St. John's Lutheran Church.

Rev. Rick Bader will officiate the services.

Interment will be at Lena Burial Park in Lena, IL.

Luncheon will follow the services at the church.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Lena Historical Society.

The family would like to express appreciation for the attentive care shown by the entire FHN team.