Frieda Evalena Nielsen was born to Kjeld and Lona (Knudsen) Smidt on a farm in Turner County in South Dakota on October 31, 1906.
She was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church in Viborg, South Dakota. Frieda attended rural school near Viborg and attended Dana College in Blair, Nebraska, for 1-1/2 years after which she was employed as a secretary in Omaha, Nebraska, for a year.
On July 30, 1930, Frieda was united in marriage to Ralph K. Nielsen at Bethany Lutheran Church in Viborg, South Dakota. After their marriage, Frieda and Ralph farmed in Jackson Township, Shelby County, Iowa. They retired from farming in 1964 and moved to Harlan, Iowa. Ralph and Frieda celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary together. Ralph died on December 31, 1992.
Frieda died at Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa, on Sunday, December 4, 2005, having attained the age of 99 years, 1 month, and 4 days. She resided at Salem Home for 6-1/2 years where she did needle work and provided numerous items for the annual craft auction.
Frieda was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church, participating in all areas of church life at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Iowa, and since 1968 had been a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan. For several years she was an active member in the Women’s Quilting Guild.
In addition to her parents, Frieda is preceded in death by her husband Ralph K. Nielsen; one sister Emma Smidt; two brothers, Elmer Smidt and Francis Smidt; one son, Stanley Nielsen; and one son-in-law, Fred Louis. Her survivors include two daughters, Jeanne (Connie) Sorensen of Milford, Iowa, and Lona Louis of Northbrook, Illinois; two sons, Don (Marie) Nielsen of Atlantic, Iowa, and David (Sandy) Nielsen of Wayzata, Minnesota; one daughter-in-law, Cheryl Nielsen of Harlan, Iowa; 11 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; and other relatives and many friends.
Memorial services were held on Saturday, January 7, 2006, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan, Iowa, with Pastor Heather Ploen officiating. Amy Williams served as the organist and Sherry Lytle was the soloist. Inurnment will take place at the Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, Jacksonville, Iowa. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Harlan, to Salem Lutheran Homes, Elk Horn, or to Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp, Milford.