Elaine Nielsen

Elaine Nielsen, age 83, of Yankton, South Dakota, was called to rest on Monday, November 5, 2018, at Avera Sr. James Care Center in Yankton. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 10, 2018, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Yankton with Reverend Kwen Sanderson officiating. Burial will be in the Yankton Cemetery in Yankton, South Dakota. Visitation is from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, November 9, 2018, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton, South Dakota. Elaine G Portaleos was born May 21, 1935, to Gustantinos and Maude (Roley) Portaleos in Sioux City, Iowa. They moved to Yankton, South Dakota when she was a young girl. Elaine graduated from Yankton High School in 1953. She married Willard “Babe” Nielsen on August 31, 1955, and together they had three sons. Elaine was an employee of The Credit Bureau for 55 years, retiring in 2008. Prior to her workday, she would walk with her sister and friends and then enjoy coffee at different coffee places throughout Yankton. Elaine loved this start to her day. The holidays were special to Elaine, and she loved to decorate her home for each one. She enjoyed spending time outside, the Yankton fireworks with family, and Riverboat Days. She enjoyed the flags set up in Memorial Park and was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Her grandchildren remember her delicious cookies and peanut butter balls. She and her coffee group made mints for every special occasion. She enjoyed the early Black Friday morning shopping to get the newest Beanie Baby. Elaine had a strong faith in God and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Yankton. She will be remembered as a mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend who loved her family more than anything. Grateful for having shared her life are her three sons: Barry Nielsen and his wife Jodie of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Tom Nielsen and his husband Norm Kunselman of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Bob Nielsen of Sioux Falls; five grandchildren: Eric (Shannon) Nielsen, Ashley Brost, Nicholas (Kayla LeBon) Nielsen, Abbey (Dylan) Hillestad, and Sheena (Milton Carias) Nielsen; six great grandchildren: Emersen and Will Nielsen, Benton Brost, and Carter, Johnny, and Juliana Carias; sister, Mary Sathe and a host of other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Babe; two brothers and brother-in-law. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Avera Sr. James Care Center for their exceptional care of Elaine. To send an online message to the family, please visit www.wintzrayfuneralhome.com.