Annette M. Nielsen, age 60, of Rochester, died Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 at her home. Annette Marie Nielsen was born July 25, 1959 in Emmetsburg, IA to Richard and Audrey (Baxter) Myer. She grew up on farms north of Curlew and later west of Mallard, IA where she graduated from high school in 1978. She attended Iowa State University in Ames, IA and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Sciences and Humanities in 1983. In addition, she graduated from the University of Iowa's Medical Technology Program in 1983. On April 30, 1988 she married John Nielsen in Rochester.
Annette began her career at the Mayo Clinic in 1983. She worked in the Mayo Clinic Transfusion Medicine-Reference Lab for 31 years, as a highly skilled medical technologist. She loved her work and her co-workers at the Mayo Clinic, and she retired from there in 2014.
Annette was a dedicated mother and wife first and foremost. She treasured her children and husband and embraced every moment with them. She had a calming personality and made people around her feel comforted and welcomed. Annette was a "people person" and had a special ability to talk with anyone she met. She is known for the kindness she showed to friends and strangers in need undergoing treatment at the Mayo Clinic. She will be truly missed and will continue to stay with us as we remember fondly our time spent together.
Annette was a member of Evangel United Methodist Church, there she had previously helped with many activities including Sunday School, and working in the Nursery. She enjoyed gardening, biking, hiking, music and talking with friends. Annette met John in the Rochester Traverski Ski club. In addition to many ski adventures together, Annette kept in contact with a group of friends from Traverski and formed a babysitting group known as "the Co-op". Annette so enjoyed getting together with these and all of her friends, including many families from Century High School and the U of MN.
Survivors include her husband, three sons Erik (Jaimie) of Des Moines, IA; Jeremy of Dayton, OH; and Joel of Minneapolis, MN; her mother Audrey Myer of Emmetsburg, IA; and two brothers Duane (Debra) Myer of Curlew, IA; and Larry Myer of Havelock, IA. She was preceded in death by her father Richard.
The funeral service will be Monday Dec. 16 at 11:00 am at Evangel United Methodist Church with Pastor Mark Rader and Pastor Susan O'Connell officiating. Visitation will be Sunday Dec. 15 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Mahn Family Funeral Home - Rochester Chapel, and one hour before the service at the church. Burial will be in Oakwood East Cemetery. Annette loved flowers, trees and her gardens. Memorials are suggested to Rochester Flower and Garden Club, NAMI, or Evangel United Methodist Church. Friends may share a memory at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Visitation
DEC
15.
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (CST)
Mahn Funeral Home, Rochester Chapel
Visitation
DEC
16.
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CST)
Evangel United Methodist Church
2645 North Broadway
Rochester, MN, 55901
Funeral Service
DEC
16.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (CST)
Evangel United Methodist Church
2645 North Broadway
Rochester, MN, 55901