Delores M. Nielsen

Delores M. Nielsen, 88, of Latimer, passed away Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at the Rehabilitation Center of Hampton. Visitation hours are scheduled from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Latimer. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 22, 2024, at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Latimer. Delores will be laid to rest at Marion Center Cemetery in rural Latimer. Woodley Funeral Home of Hampton is caring for Delores and her family.

Delores Mae Nielsen, born May 27, 1935, in rural Alexander, Iowa, was the beloved daughter of August and Lydia (Schermer) Friesleben. She graduated from Franklin Consolidated, class of 1953, where she helped lead the girls’ basketball team to the state basketball tournament her junior and senior years. A few years later, on February 19, 1956, Delores was united in marriage to Duane Nielsen at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Latimer. To this union, a daughter and son were born.

Her career started at First National Bank in Hampton and she later worked as the secretary at CAL Community School before becoming the secretary for Duane’s business, Nielsen Oil Company. She also waited tables at the Latimer Cafe, keeping tabs on the latest gossip. A lifelong member at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Latimer, Delores actively participated in the church’s activities, including being a member of Philathea and her role as Sunday School teacher for many years. Delores loved being part of CAL Community School activities and attending countless sporting events over the years.

If you know the Nielsens, you know golf is a passion they all share. Delores often participated in Ladies Day at the Latimer Golf Course, where she also organized tournaments. On the weekends, Delores and Duane enjoyed competing in husband and wife golf outings with their friends. Delores also cherished her friendships with her high school basketball gals, and they made it a tradition of attending the state tournament as spectators every year.

On Sundays after church, you would find Delores cooking dinner. Despite being a vegetarian, she could cook up a delicious roast. It was a weekly tradition the entire family enjoyed - with great food and even a few post dinner naps. If you ever tried to reach Delores via phone, you often heard the busy signal, as she was known for spending hours talking to her girlfriends about all of the recent Franklin County happenings. Even during her final weeks, Delores found joy in laughing and joking with the staff at the Care Center, whom she had grown to love over the years.

Delores will be remembered for her love of sports, commitment to her faith, and the overwhelming amount of love she had for family and friends. We love you and will miss you dearly.

Delores is survived by her daughter Jill (Lee) Schaefer of Beeds Lake; son Joel (Sharon) Nielsen of Champions Gate, Florida; sister Judy (James) Conrad of Iowa Falls; grandchildren Deidre (Matt) Sproston, Shelby Schaefer, Kelly Nielsen, Kasey (Austin) Havekost and Kory (Peyton) Deats; great-grandchildren Briar and Baker Sproston, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Duane Nielsen and brother Donovan Friesleben.

Memorials may be directed to Immanuel United Church of Christ, PO Box 460, Latimer, IA 50452.