Dodgeville - Jacqueline D. Nielsen, age 82, of Dodgeville, passed away in the arms of her family at her daughter's home, on Sunday, July 8, 2018.

The former Jacqueline Hanson was born on September 1, 1935, in Coon Valley to Joseph and Mabel Hanson. She was raised by her uncle and aunt, Lawrence and Ansoph Onsrud, in Westby, WI. She was close to all of her family and loved spending time with them. Jackie graduated from Westby High School and attended teacher college. She went on to become a teacher in a one room country school and later taught real estate licensing classes for Wisconsin School of Real Estate and Southwest Technical College for 20 years. Later in life, Jackie worked at Swanson Pharmacy, where she made many lifelong friends.

Mother, married Jens Nielsen, on August 13, 1960. They were blessed with 5 children; Jim, Lifka, Todd, Brian, and Darci.

Family, friends, and God meant everything to Mom. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and had an unwavering faith in God. Her church family was a huge part of her life. Mom never met a person with whom she wasn't friends. She loved taking pictures, talking on the phone, going out for Friday night suppers, eating popcorn, sitting around a firepit, going to her cabin, and sending cards to everyone she knew in order to brighten their days.
Family holidays were filled with laughter and these traditions will be carried on through her grandchildren, which were the highlight of her life and she loved going to their activities. Grandma Jackie was proud of each of them.

Mom courageously fought cancer for six years and was a proud supporter of Relay for Life. She was a member of GLCW, Rachel Circle, and The Red Hat Society. She was a Girl Scout leader for many years.

Mom was a strong, independent, devoted, Norwegian woman. She worked hard her entire life to provide for and support us in any way that she could. She raised five children on her
own and instilled in all of us, kindness and compassion for others.

Jackie is survived by her children: Jim, Lifka (Chuck) Bennett, Todd (Deb), Brian, and Darci Sullivan (Larry Lawinger). Grandchildren: Cody and Brianna Bennett (Nik Geissbuhler), Irene, Mathias, and Sophia Nielsen, Alyssa, Emily, and Carley Sullivan. Her beloved brother, Don (Kathy) Hanson, who loved to tease her, and loving sister, Pat O'Neal. She was blessed in life by many wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins and countless, glorious friends that have been so supportive throughout her life.

Mom was preceded in death by her sisters, Joan Strangstalien and Mary Lou Hanson; Jens Nielsen, and son-in-law, Scott Sullivan.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH in Dodgeville. Rev. Mark Williamson will officiate. Burial will be held in East Side Cemetery in Dodgeville. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday at the GORGEN-McGINLEY & AYERS FUNERAL HOME in Dodgeville and from 10:00 a.m. until time of services on Saturday at the church.

Mom was so grateful for all the thoughts, prayers, cards, visits, and support during the last several months. She loved life and we know that the strength from her deep love for each of us will be close within our hearts forever.

We will leave with these words of a beautiful singer that encompasses our wonderful mother:

"We hope that we see the world as you did, because we know a life with love, is a life that is well lived. So we say hallelujah, you are an angel in the shape of our mom. When we fell down, you were there holding us up. Spread your wings as you go, You got to see the people that we are. When God takes you back, he will say, Hallelujah, you're home."