Nielsen, Barbara "Jo" (1933-2015)

NIELSEN, OTTO, CABOTH, HANSEN, REEVES, ROGERS, PEPE, POMRENING, LEE, FARMER, KIRLIN

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 6/25/2015 at 19:09:28

Barbara "Jo" Nielsen
September 10, 1933 - June 13, 2015

Barbara "Jo" Nielsen, age 81, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died on Saturday, June 13, 2015, at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake.

The youngest of six children, Jo, a daughter of Louis and Rosena (Caboth) Otto, was born on September 10, 1933, in Galva, Iowa. Baptized at the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake in 1946, she attended school at Hayes Township, graduating in 1951.

On June 22, 1953, Jo married Gilbert Raymond Nielsen in Storm Lake. Subsequently, they were blessed with four children: Barbi, Becky, Brenda, and Tracy. A lifetime member of the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake, Jo was active with the United Methodist Women.

Involved in the community, Jo loved to volunteer. She spent over ten years volunteering in Nancy Thompson’s kindergarten class where many children, over the years, knew her fondly as “Grandma Jo”. She, also, enjoyed volunteering in the ESL adult education program.

Over the years Jo had many passions. She enjoyed dancing, doing ceramics, playing cards, reading, and traveling in their motor home with Gil. She loved to tease and be teased. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a huge heart. She found great joy in visiting with and otherwise interacting with other people. Indeed, she, especially, loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. They all held a special place in her heart. Because she, also, loved to bake, she, always, had a freshly prepared dessert on hand in case someone dropped by. She will be deeply missed and will remain in our hearts forever.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children: Barbi (Steve) Hansen, of Johnston, Iowa, Becky (Dave) Reeves, of Danville, California, Brenda (Jon) Rogers, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Tracy (Lora) Nielsen, of Storm Lake, Iowa; her grandchildren: Erin (Chris) Pepe, of New York, New York; Josh Hansen, of San Francisco, California, Emily (Erich) Pomrening, of Superior, Colorado, Andrew Reeves, of San Francisco, California, Wayne (Lindsay) Rogers, of Omaha, Nebraska, Jason (Samantha) Rogers, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Alisa Rogers, also of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Allyson Nielsen, of Chicago, Illinois, and Sara Nielsen, of Storm Lake, Iowa; a great grandchild, Jonas Rogers, of Omaha, Nebraska; a sister, Betty Lee, of Atlanta, Georgia; and a sister-in-law, Lou Otto, of Willard, Missouri; as well as extended family members and friends.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gilbert; her brothers, Merrill and Gordon Otto; and her sisters, Frances Farmer and Shirley Kirlin.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 17, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake. Burial will follow in the Storm Lake Cemetery. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, June 16, 2015, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

A memorial in Jo’s name has been established.

Copyright © 2015, Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Homes

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