Darlene Nielsen

Darlene Nielsen, 87, of South Sioux City, NE passed away on Monday, January 2, 2017 at Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting, IA.Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, January 6, 2017 at St. Paul United Methodist Church in South Sioux City, NE with Rev. Jose Miranda officiating. Burial will be in the Ponca Cemetery in Ponca, NE. Visitation will begin at 5:00 P.M., with the family present at 6:00 P.M. and a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at the church.Darlene was born on June 25, 1929 in rural Ponca, NE, the daughter of Charles and Versa (Green) Polkinghorn. She graduated from Ponca High School in 1946 and worked in the Ponca Cleaners before moving to Sioux City where she also worked at a dry cleaners shop. Darlene married Cleone Nielsen on October 26, 1952. The couple moved to the Jackson, NE area and California before moving back to South Sioux City, NE. She worked as a homemaker before working as a saleslady with Avon for 30+ years.She was a very active member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, where she was a Sunday School teacher and was involved in the Naomi Circle. She was also a member of the Jackson American Legion Auxiliary, the South Sioux City Volunteer Fire Dept. Auxiliary, and was a Dakota County Election Board worker for many years.Spending time with her family and siblings was very important to her. She also enjoyed reading, camping, playing cards, working word search puzzles, and following politics closely.Survivors include four children, Todd Nielsen of Dakota City, NE, Sherry (Henry) Hathaway of Leigh, NE, Cindy (Chuck) Henkel of Whiting, IA and Candace Cota and friend, Roger DeJong of Avon, SD; grandchildren, Jade, Justin, Holt and Ethan; step-granddaughter, Tiffney; great-granddaughters, Ella, Taylor, Allison, Harper and Brynlee; great-grandsons, Rykr, Kylan and Declyn; siblings, Orla Delle Arnold, Lynn (Joyce) Polkinghorn, Royce (Cheryl) Polkinghorn, Mona Lund, Colleen Reich, Yvonne Thallas and Ron Polkinghorn; and many nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her husband, Cleone Nielsen on November 5, 2012; her parents, Charles and Versa Polkinghorn; daughter-in-law, Darlus Nielsen; and a sister, Bonita Michelson.