Amber Jo Nielsen

Amber Jo Nielsen, 30 of Sioux City, went to heaven on Sunday, November 29, 2015 with her mom and grandparents by her side. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 4, 2015 at Trimble United Methodist Church with Reverend Martha Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, December 3, 2015 at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel with family present at 6:00 p.m. and a Prayer Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.meyerbroschapels.com Amber was born on September 4, 1985 at St. Luke’s Hospital. She was baptized at St. Luke’s, with a recognition of baptism at Trimble United Methodist Church. Amber was born with special needs and was loved and cared for by her family until her mom made the difficult decision to place her at Faith, Hope, & Charity in Storm Lake, Iowa, where she would receive the special and loving care she would need in her daily life as she grew. For the past several years, Amber resided at Courage Homes in Sioux City where she continued to receive loving care. Though faced with special challenges, Amber was a content and happy young lady, who enjoyed many things in her life that included music, movies, “Croaker” her special frog, outings with her Courage Homes family, ringing her bells, and visits with her family. She attended special needs classes at Riverside Elementary School, East Middle School, and graduated from West High School in May of 2007, receiving a standing ovation as she crossed the stage, bringing tears to her family’s eyes. After graduation, Amber continued to enjoy her life at the Work Center through Mid-Step Services. Amber’s family considered her to be “Our Angel”, given to us to teach us many things in our lives, such as compassion, and love and kindness for others. Memories of Amber will forever be cherished until we meet her in heaven by her mom and step-dad Kim and Mike Grieve; her sister and brother-in-law Whitney and Ashlen Johnson; nephew Maximus; niece Lilah; grandparents Steve and Karen Counterman, Step-grandparents Warren and Sue Grieve; aunt Kelly Vihstadt and cousin Jordyn; aunt and uncle Kris and Jim Collette and cousin Amanda; caregiver family and best friends at Courage Homes; and many other aunts, uncles, and cousins. Amber was preceded in death by her great grandparents Newman and Florence Clausen, and Carl and Bernice Counterman, who we know welcomed her in heaven with open arms and plenty of hugs and kisses. Casket Bearers are the staff from Courage Homes, Building 1. Amber’s family expresses their sincere appreciation to all of her caregivers throughout her life at Faith, Hope, and Charity and Courage Homes, as well as to family and friends who have given us encouragement, support, love, and friendship.