Louise Maud Neilson

Sunday, November 1, 2020, at Rainycrest Long Term Health Care in Fort Frances, ON

Mom was born on September 25, 1935 in Rainy River, ON to the late William and Pearl

Wardman, and was raised in Sifton Township. After high school in Fort Frances, she graduated

teachers college in Thunder Bay, and taught at the Sifton School and the Split Rock school for one

year each. She was united in marriage to Carman Neilson on September 1, 1954. They settled on the family homestead, and began to raise a family. In 1955 they moved to their farm, living first in the garage, as it had electricity, then to a 2 room cabin, until they finished building their house in 1960.

Mom worked very hard alongside Dad to establish their beef farm. They grew a huge garden every year

and Mom spent countless hours canning and freezing vegetables for the winter. Extra produce was

often donated to those whose garden hadn’t been as good.

She was an excellent cook and baker, and was especially well known for her amazing bread and cinnamon buns.

Her teachers training was put to good use with her own six children; she was very proud that we could

all read and do basic printing and math before we ever set foot in school.

Over the years, while raising children and running the household, Mom also did various seasonal jobs,

such as tree planting. She eventually became the postmaster for Stratton, ON, and

enjoyed many years in that position. She loved seeing all the people in the community, and always had candy for all the children, many of whom came to know her as “Aunt Lou”.

Mom and Dad enjoyed square dancing, and made many lifelong friends at the dances. Mom was an

excellent seamstress, and sewed many colourful square dance dresses over the years.

In 2002, Mom and Dad moved to Fort Frances, and she was especially happy to be able see

her mother and sisters almost daily. She also enjoyed the opportunity to volunteer her time to various local causes.

In her latter years, Mom enjoyed going on road trips with friends and family, and she was always the life of the party. The best excursions always included at least one walleye dinner with a slice of pie!

Mom was a very loving person, and in return was truly loved by many people. She was kind and incredibly generous, and just a tiny bit mischievous.

In the past few weeks, whenever we spoke to her, she’d always say “Don’t ever forget how much

I love you”. Mom, we never will forget.

Mom was predeceased by her parents, by Dad on June 11, 2006, and by infant daughter Kari Louise in 1958; her parents in-law Maurice and Stella Neilson, brothers-in-law Don Madill, Bob Kivi, Moie Neilson (Marjorie), Art Neilson (Kay) Garnet Neilson (Vivian) Keith Neilson (Grace) as well

as sisters-in-law Bernice (Paul) Sisco and Thelma (Walter) Hanson.

She is survived by her children Eric (Monique) of Airdrie, AB, Shawn (Bea) of Bergland, ON,

Kristen of Winnipeg, MB, Tim of Thunder Bay, ON, David of Winnipeg, MB and Dinah of

Thunder Bay, ON; grandchildren Jaret, Adrienne, Quinn, Madeleine, Erin, Geoffrey, Ashley and Carly;

great grandchildren Taylor, Noah, Ireland, London, Jaeden, Malia, Leif and Stella, sisters Roma Madill

and Carol (Bob) Barrell, brother Clark, sister-in-law Dixie Kivi and many nieces, nephews and friends.

The family wishes to express our thanks to the staff at Rainycrest for the kindness and caring they have

shown to Mom in the time she resided there. She developed close relationships with the staff, and was always interested in their lives. As well, we are grateful to the “Ricard girls” for loving our Mom so much, and spending so much time with her- she loved them like her own kids! Special thanks also to Dr Moorhouse for his many years of professional care.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2020 at Green Funeral Home from 6 until 8 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, November 6, 2020 at 11 a.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, ON.

The pallbearers will be Colin Neilson, Rick Neilson, Darrell Hansen, Geoff Neilson, Greg Madill and Donovan Jack.

If friends so desire in memoriam donations may be made the Parkinson’s Foundation or the Heart and Stroke Foundation in care of Green Funeral Home, Box 427, 600 Reid Avenue, Fort Frances, ON, P9A 3M8.

COVID-19 restrictions will apply to the visitation and service; including 30% capacity based on social distancing requirements. Everyone attending will be asked to wear a mask.