Beth Nielsen

Beth Nielsen, age 62, of Little Falls, MN, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, April 18, 2013 at her home. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 22, 2013 at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls, MN, with Chaplain Gregg Valentine officiating. A private, family interment will be at a later date. Visitation will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 21st and from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 22nd all at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls, MN. Beth Eileen Sandbakken was born on March 5, 1951 in Milbank, South Dakota the daughter of Elwood & Ann (Ohman) Sandbakken. Beth was baptized and confirmed in the Wilmot Lutheran Church in Wilmot, SD. She attended country school for six years before attending school and graduating from Wilmot High School, Class of 1969. She continued her education, attending Northern State in Aberdeen and South Dakota State in Brookings. Beth was united in marriage to Jeff Nielsen on June 15, 1971 at the Wilmot Lutheran Church. The couple made their first home in Buffalo, MN, before eventually settling in the Little Falls area in 1977. Beth worked as a bookkeeper at Kulus Feed in Flensburg for many years. She also worked as a bookkeeper for Goedker Realty and also with her husband in their insurance business, Goedker Nielsen Insurance Agency in Little Falls. Beth loved and was very devoted to her family, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed the family's annual fishing trip to the Lake of the Woods, her trips to Denver, reading, her dog, and any puzzles that would challenge her mind. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Jeff of Little Falls; mother, Ann Sandbakken of Wilmot, SD; mother-in-law, Dorothy Nielsen of Wilmot, SD; children, Stacy (Tom) Smith and children, Madelyn and Zack all of Stacy, MN, Wade (Karen) Nielsen and son Max Elwood of Golden, CO, and Nick (Jessica) Nielsen and children Alex and Brooke of Royalton, MN; siblings, Wayne (Faith) Sandbakken of Wilmot, SD, Pat (Larry) O'Farrell of Marvin, SD, Robert (Janet) Sandbakken of Wilmot, SD, and Steve Sandbakken of Seattle, WA, and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Beth was preceded in death by her father, Elwood Sandbakken and her father-in-law, James Nielsen. Honorary pallbearers will be Beth's grandchildren, Madelyn Smith, Zack Smith, Max Elwood Nielsen, Alex Nielsen and Brooke Nielsen.