Mary Anne Nielsen, 82, of Burlington, Wisconsin, passed away Friday, July 11, 2025 at Aurora Medical Center in Burlington.
Born in Chicago, Illinois on May 23, 1943, she was the daughter of James and Lydia (nee Trout) Kouba. Her early life was spent in LaGrange, Illinois. In 1984, she graduated from McHenry County College with an Associate Degree in Horticulture. In 1974 she married the love of her life, Marvin Nielsen, and had a ready-made family of her two boys and Marv’s two girls. Mary Anne and Marv lived in several places over the years, including Wauconda, Illinois; Princeton, Wisconsin; and Wautoma, Wisconsin before recently settling in Burlington to be closer to family.
Mary Anne wore many hats. She was a floral designer, did alterations for others for over 55 years, taught ceramics, owned a custom stained glass window business and taught basket weaving for 20 years. She and Marv participated in many juried art shows with her baskets and his hand-made brooms and hand-carved hiking sticks. Mary Anne was also an avid quilter, taking first place for several of her quilts.
Mary Anne is survived by her husband, Marv; children, Mike (Patty) Steffy, Tom (Kim) Steffy, Dawn Nielsen-Ewing and Vickie (Mark) Gresge; 12 grandchildren; and 16 (and counting) great-grandchildren. She was blessed to have Marv as her life partner for over 51 years and as a care-giver.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Per Mary Anne’s request, no services will be held.
Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home & Crematory
625 Browns Lake Drive
Burlington, WI 53105
(262) 763-3434
www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com
