Phyllis Jean Nielsen

Phyllis Jean Nielsen was born in Spokane, Washington on October 28,1924 to Austin and Alfhild Feilberg Schnase, and died in Portland Oregon on November 28, 2025. In high school she took part in theater and loved to sing and dance. Even when her memory was fading she could still sing along to all the old songs, even in Norwegian.

After attending two years at Washington State University, she headed cross country by train at age 20 to live and work in New York City during WWII. Celebrating V-E Day in Times Square was one of her treasured memories. She married Robert G. Nielsen in 1949, and they settled in Eugene and later Lake Oswego where they raised their family. They divorced in 1967.

While working as an office manager for a doctor’s office in Portland she also developed her true passion as a talented seamstress. Projects included alterations for the Rose Festival Court, many bridal gowns, and countless other sewing projects. Her creativity and attention to detail was limitless.

She attended many University of Oregon football games, traveling with the team alongside her good friend Elaine Moshofsky, always wearing her Duck garb and earrings. She was a member of the Multnomah Athletic Club where she cultivated longtime friendships and exercised daily.

She was an excellent bridge player, played golf well into her 80’s, and enjoyed traveling, taking many trips to London and New York to see the theater. She was fiercely independent, talented, funny, extremely personable, energetic, and made friends everywhere she went.

She is survived by her three children Kris Elliott (Tom), Marti Willis (Jim), and Scott Nielsen (Lorrie); six grandchildren: Aaron Elliott, Ryan Willis, Chelsi Deymonaz, Taylor Nielsen, and Corey and Bryce Gruba; and four great-grandchildren Jackson and Poppy Willis and Charlie and Parker Elliott.

Thank you to Sylvan Crown Senior Care Home, where she found great warmth and received excellent care from Adela, Simona, and Codrin. Special thanks also to Tenderly Hospice during the last two years of her life. At her request, there will be no memorial service.