Catherine E Neilsen

Catherine E. Neilsen, age 77, of Lake Crystal, died Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at the Lake Crystal Health Care Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 23, 2006 at Holy Family Catholic Church, Lake Crystal, with Rev. John Wilmot officiating. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Mankato. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Friday at Lake Crystal Mortuary with a 7 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will continue one hour before the service at the church on Saturday.

Catherine was born September 29, 1928 in Cincinnati, OH, to William T. and Esther (Kohler) Witty. Her mother, Esther died at age 35 in Milwaukee on December 21, 1929. Catherine along with her sister, Mary Ann were brought to St. Peter where they were raised by their grandmother, Anna Witty. She graduated from St. Peter High School in 1947 and attended Mankato Commercial College. She was then employed by Fisher Clothing and the Wagon Wheel Cafe. Catherine was united in marriage to William Neilsen on July 30, 1949. After a series of moves she and her husband settled in Lake Crystal and she was employed at the Rothfork Truck Stop, Hub Cafe, and then the Lake Crystal Health Care Center. Catherine was a very devout member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Lake Crystal. She was an avid china painter and for the past 34 years a very grateful, dedicated supporter of the program of A.A.

Catherine is survived by her husband, William A. Neilsen of Lake Crystal; five children, Carolynn (Mark) Kraus of Garden City, Ernest (Barb) W. Neilsen of Mankato, Mary (Arnie) Billmark of Milaca, Bill Neilsen of Baton Rouge, LA, Edward Neilsen of Mankato; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Ann Kuball of Morristown; along with a number of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Catherine was preceded in death by her Grandmother Witty; parents; brother-in-law, Arnold Kuball; and aunt, Hazel Witty on September 15, 2006.