Mary Elizabeth Nielsen

Mary Elizabeth (Roth) Nielsen of Bloomington, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on April 16, 2026, at the age of 82, surrounded by her family. She was born on October 8, 1943, in Minneapolis to Gertrude (Kairies) and Charles Roth, and grew up on Xerxes Avenue in South Minneapolis with her brothers, Michael and Edward. Mary attended Holy Angels in Richfield, an all-girls school at the time, graduating in 1961. While in high school, Mary enjoyed a sweet courtship with a handsome young man named Pete. On April 18, 1964, Mary and Peter Allen Nielsen were married. Together they built a life in Bloomington, raising their two children, Lisa and Todd. Mary was a devoted wife and mother who kept a warm and welcoming home. Her family will always remember her traditional dinners, especially her homemade spaghetti and meatballs, Chicken à la King hot dish, and hamburger pie. In their early years, Mary and Pete shared fond memories working together at Red Owl. She later worked for more than 30 years as a legal secretary for attorney Gerald Dederick, where she became known for her remarkable ability to interpret his cryptic handwritten notes. Becoming "Nana" to her granddaughters, Beth and Kate, was one of Mary's greatest joys. She played a central role in their lives, hosting sleepovers, tea parties, shopping trips, museum visits, and outings to parks. Her annual Christmas cookie day-featuring spritz, thumbprints, mint surprises, and sugar cookies-was a treasured tradition. Mary was a steady and loving presence, sharing her appreciation for reading, music, and the importance of kindness and good manners. Mary was also a talented artist who took classes at the Edina Art Center. She had a gift for oil painting, especially still life, with an eye for detail and realism. True to her humble nature, she rarely considered her work finished, finding it difficult to sign a piece and call it complete. Mary and Pete spent winters in Fort Myers, Florida, where they enjoyed their condo at the Lexington Country Club, warm weather, and staying active in golf leagues. They loved socializing with old and new friends, sharing dinner dates, and playing cards together. They also enjoyed traveling, exploring many parts of the United States and around the world, from Alaska to Europe and Asia. Mary was the epitome of style and elegance. She was lovely, graceful, and always impeccably dressed for any occasion, carrying herself with natural poise. Mary was intelligent, kind, and quick to offer her warm smile and gentle sense of humor that made others feel at ease. After a fall resulting in a brain injury, Mary was cared for by the compassionate hospice team at M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital. Her family is deeply grateful for the care and kindness shown to her in her final days. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Gertrude and Charles; her brother, Michael (Ruth) Roth; and her special aunt, Lucille Kairies. She is survived by her husband, Peter; her children, Lisa (Michael) Johnstone and Todd (Kara) Nielsen; her beloved granddaughters, Beth and Kate Nielsen; and her brother, Edward (Sharon) Roth, and many nieces and nephews. A private Celebration of Life will be held in Mary's honor. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity close to your heart.

Mary Elizabeth Nielsen

October 8, 1943 - April 16, 2026

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