Lillie Celine Nielsen

Lillie Celine Nielsen, age 99, of Grants Pass, died Sunday, March 13, 2011 at her daughter’s home.

Family services will be held at a later date. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Lillie was born February 25, 1912 in Cartwright, North Dakota the daughter of Nels & Karoline (Pederson) Walla. In 1939 in Sidney, Montana she married Victor E. Nielsen. They moved to Anchorage, Alaska where they lived for 30 years. In 1972 they moved from Anchorage to Grants Pass, Oregon.

Lillie was a member of Murphy Chapel, Calvary Lutheran Church and the Grants Pass Garden Club.

Lillie enjoyed flower gardening, cooking, baking, and reading.

She is survived by a son, Vernon E. Nielsen of Marysville, Washington; a daughter, Mary A. Parker and husband Ken of Grants Pass, Oregon; a stepdaughter, Dorothy A. Cavener and husband Harold of Paul, Idaho; and many beloved grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, the love of her life, Victor Nielsen on September 15, 2002; two sisters, Olga E. Jordan and Walborg Sattler; seven brothers, Bjarne Walla, Olaf Walla, Conrad Walla, Arthur Walla, William Walla, George Walla and Fridhjof Walla; and her parents.

Lillie will be missed for a lot of reasons. It was fun to take her out for a meal at a restaurant. She never had a meal “out” she didn’t like. Never. She was a reluctant card palyer, but did make a foursome at whist, hearts, and other card games. Lillie was not skimpy with the butter and her home-cooked meals were always delicious. She like to bake and made terrific cinnamon buns. Lillie’s daughter taught her how to drive fairly late in life and Lillie would hunch over the steering wheel like a race car driver. She didn’t drive fast, but we were all happy when she gave up driving for good