Obituary of Ethel Georgina Nielsen

October 5, 1929 - Eastend, Saskatchewan

March 28, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ethel Nielsen, born on October 5, 1929, in Eastend, SK, on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at the age of 93 years.

New Years Eve of 1954 proved itself to be a special night indeed, for Ethel met the love of her life Eric at a dance outside of Cardston, AB. The years ahead would include a growing family of four and many moves to different communities in Alberta. They met many lifelong friends and were always well regarded in their community. Ethel’s great love and care for her family always anchored them throughout the many transitions they found themselves in.

Ethel was always so happy to have her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren gather for camping trips, special holidays and other family get-togethers. She brought great joy to her family with her love of fun, her unfailing sense of humour, her cheerful demeanour, love of music and the mouth-watering aroma of her home baked buns.

The beauty of the world, no matter how small or large, was always an inspiration for Ethel, reflected in her artwork, home, garden, and appreciation of the world; she instilled this in her children. Her welcoming and loving spirit will remain with us forever.

Left to mourn Ethel are her husband Eric Nielsen; children, Brenda (Wayne) Johnston, Greg (Barb) Nielsen and Lori Nielsen; daughter-in-law Lorraine Nielsen; grandchildren, Abbey Johnston, Amy (Dave) Huot, Quentin (Cheryl) Johnston, Eric Nielsen, Rachelle (Mitch) Namchuk, Mikael (Jackie) Nielsen, Christina Nielsen (Luke) Harding, Tom Heuver, Conner Heuver and Holly Heuver; great-grandchildren, Kellyn, Noah, Kurstyn, Aiden, Ava, Sydney, Harper, Jayden, and Mikayla; sisters-in-law, Evanzia Rittinger and Grace Wallace as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Ethel was predeceased by her father David Rittinger (1961) and mother Christina Rittinger (nee Heth) (1998), who lived to be 103; sister Marie Shufletoski (2015); brothers Alvin Rittinger (1991) and Bob Rittinger (2018); son Douglas Nielsen (2014); grandsons, Richard Nielsen (1987), Daniel Nielsen (2009) and Josh Nielsen (2019), as well as twelve half siblings.

Funeral Services will be held at St. Thomas United Church (100 Hawkwood Boulevard N.W., Calgary, AB) on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. Reception to follow in the Church Hall. Condolences, memories, and photos may also be shared and viewed there.

  If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14^th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca.

In living memory of Ethel Nielsen, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.