Mary (Theos) Nielsen

Surrounded by her loving family, Mary Nielsen, nee Theos, age 86, passed away on Sunday, April 6, 2014, at Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Medical Center.   Mary was born in Racine on May 13, 1927, daughter of the late John and Anna (Nee:  Panagiotoponlon) Theos and was a lifelong resident of Racine.

On November 13, 1949, at Kimissis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church in Racine, WI, she was united in marriage to Ernest C. Nielsen. Mary was a Senior Interior Designer at Porters of Racine for 23 years. She opened her own interior design studio in downtown Racine, Mary T. Nielsen Interiors, where she was in business for 10 years until her retirement.

Mary was a member of The International Society of Interior Designers. She also was an active and lifetime member of the Kimissis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church, Philoptochos Society, choir member/organist, and member of Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Naples, FL.  Mary thoroughly enjoyed her winters in Naples, Florida, for the past 20 years.  She also enjoyed her travel, especially her trip with her entire family to Greece and Denmark, visiting many relatives and sharing her and Ernie’s ancestry with all. She had a great flair in the kitchen, creating many Greek and Danish dishes.  More than anything she cherished time with her family and will be deeply missed.

Survivors include her loving husband of sixty-four years, Ernest; her children, James (Mary) Nielsen of Racine, Joan Turner of Whitefish Bay; her grandchildren, Katelyn (Glenn) Smith, Tricia (Jay) Oksiuta, Michael (Kelly) Turner; her great-grandson, William Oksiuta; other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Robert Turner; and sister- and brother-in-law, Ann and Harold Sorensen.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 11, 2014, at 10 a.m. at the Kimissis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church, 1335 S. Green Bay Road, Hwy 31, with Rev. John Ketchum officiating. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Thursday at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. (Trisagion service at 7 p.m.). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Designated Memorial Fund of the Kimissis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church.

The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to Dr. Michael Mullane and staff and Wheaton Franciscan Hospice staff for their loving and compassionate care.  

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine    (262) 634-7888