Elizabeth H. Nielsen, age 95, died at the Good Shepherd Home in Blair on Dec. 28, 2022. Elizabeth was born July 10, 1927, in Watsonville, Calif., to Einar Hansen Solevad and Else Gudrun Poulsen, both immigrants from Denmark who met in California’s Central Valley before moving to Watsonville on Monterey Bay. Following her graduation from Watsonville High School in 1945, she attended Dana College, where she met John Wolter Nielsen of Albert Lea, Minnesota. They were married on April 8, 1949. After seventy-two years of marriage, John W. passed away at the age of 95 on May 12, 2021.
She is survived by her children: John Mark (Dawn) Nielsen, Jane (Doug Wilson), Anne (John) Hibbing and David Nielsen, a daughter-in-law, Patti Meier Nielsen, ten grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren, as well as a sister, a brother and five nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one son, Thomas Solevad Nielsen, as well as her parents and a nephew.
A talented artist even in high school, especially with water colors and pastels, her teacher wanted her to attend art school in Los Angeles. She, however, deferred to her parents’ wishes and came east to attend Dana College in Blair. Following her husband’s ordination and call to serve St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Northfield, Minnesota, she continued to develop her art through the Northfield Arts Guild, and she illustrated some of the publications of the United (Danish) Evangelical Lutheran Church, headquartered in Blair.
When John was called to become Dana College’s first full-time campus pastor and professor of religion, the family moved to Blair. Elizabeth completed her Bachelor of Arts in 1964, and then taught art at Blair Community High School from 1967 to 1975. After retiring from teaching, she assisted in the Dana College Humanities Program. She also did watercolors of local sites for monthly covers of The Washington County Line, a magazine published by her son, Tom. Until both were in their nineties, John and Elizabeth created their own Christmas cards, John writing a Christmas poem and Elizabeth doing the artwork.
Elizabeth loved nature, gardening and hosting family and friends. She especially enjoyed rides to Desoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge or in the hills south and west of Blair. She delighted in watching light play across the natural environment, reflecting her appreciation for Impressionist artists. The couple’s yard on Grant Street in Blair became a woodland garden that reminded her of walking as a child in the forests of the coastal mountain range above Watsonville. Family and friends enjoyed many dinners in the couple’s dining room. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren loved playing in the library or sleeping before the fireplace in the living room. Elizabeth delighted in following their unfolding lives.
The service will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 7 at First Lutheran Church in Blair.
A memorial and future graveside service is planned. Memorials may be directed to the Friends of Boyer Chute and Desoto National Wildlife Refuge, the Washington County Food bank or a charity of the donor’s choice.
