Jean
H. Neilsen, 99, a retired secretary from Shelby, passed away Sunday, February 14,
2010, at the Teton Medical Center. Visitation is Thursday, February 18, from
1:00 until 8:00 PM with family receiving friends from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at the
Whitted Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be 1:30 PM Friday, February 19, at
the United Methodist Church in Shelby with burial to follow in the Mountain View
Cemetery. A funeral luncheon will follow the committal service at the church.
Survivors include her daughters, Emile (Stan) Kimmet of Choteau and Cheryl Kinyon of Kalispell; sons, Kenneth (Martha) Neilsen of La Place, LA and James (Rosemary) Neilsen of Great Falls; 18 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, 1 daughter, 1 sister, 3 brothers, 1 great-grandchild & 2 great-great grandchildren.
Jean was born May 15, 1910 at Sherwood, ND to Frank & Fannie (Wrigley) Denison. The family moved to Chester and then to Kalispell where she grew up and was educated. She then attended one year of secretarial school in Great Falls. She married Emil Neilsen July 3, 1929 at Great Falls; they later divorced.
She moved to Shelby in 1951 where she has lived, worked and raised her children. Jean worked as a secretary for Marias River Electric co-op for 21 years before her retirement in 1975. She then became an active volunteer at the Shelby Senior Center where she later became secretary of the Center’s board. She was also always available to take her many friends, who did not drive, to church, medical appointments and shopping.
Jean was a long time active member of the United Methodist Church where she had served as secretary & treasurer and President of the United Methodist Women, was past worthy matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, and served as secretary of the local Toole County Chapter of the AARP when it was formed.
Jean was an avid cribbage player along with pinochle, bridge and solitaire. She also enjoyed traveling, watching game shows, but mostly being with her family and friends.
Memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Church, Marias Heritage Center or the Shelby Senior Center.