Signe Gunhilde Nielsen

Signe went home to be with the Lord on Monday, March 2, 2015, surrounded by her loving family. Signe was born in Kristiansand, Norway on January 6, 1927 to the late Bjaerne and Annie Vilhelmsen. She married Wallace Nielsen and immigrated to the United States in 1951. Together they raised five children. Her husband Wally, retired Bay County Director of Social Services and founder of Nielsen Gallery, passed away in 2009. Their beloved daughter Karin Grable died in Arizona in 2012. Signe retired from The Nielsen Gallery in Bay City in 1991. Signe and Wally enjoyed their retirement, traveling often to Norway and wintering in Arizona. Her favorite hobbies were knitting, crocheting, embroidery, and especially counted cross stich. She took great pride in the raising of their five children, and passing on the traditions of their Norwegian culture. Her beginnings were humble and she had a knack for turning nothing into something beautiful and heartfelt. She loved gardening and gave new meaning to the term green thumb. Signe took tremendous joy in the lives of her children and grandchildren. She was greatly loved and will be missed and forever cherished in our hearts. Signe is survived by her children, Erik Wilhelm Nielsen of Seward, AK; Signe Lisbeth Nielsen (Margie Seward) of Grand Rapids; Ingried Joanne Lowman (William) of Phoenix, AZ; and Christine Nielsen (Ron Selly) of Bay City. In addition to her children, she leaves sisters Randi Hullas and Doris Donnestad, and five nieces and nephews in Kristiansand, Norway; and grandchildren, Bill Lowman, Jr; Brent (Mandy) Grable; Brittney (Chris) Jones; Corey Grable; Courtney Grable; Jakob (Samantha) Nielsen; Whitney (Seth) Muscarella; Zachary Grable; and seven great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank the staff of Sheffield Bay Assisted Living for the wonderful care they gave to our mother, and McLaren Hospice for their loving care in her last days. Funeral Services will take place at New Life Missionary Church, 3121 East North Union Road, Bay City, on Saturday, March 7th, at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Jonathan Boyer will officiate and private interment will be at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Friends may call at the Gephart Funeral Home, 201 W. Midland St., Bay City, on Friday, March 6th, from 2:00 to 5:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial cards for The Rescue Mission and McLaren Hospice will be available at the funeral home. www.gephartfuneralhome.com