Mae Janette Quilling Nielsen, 80, unexpectedly passed away Feb. 26, 2009.

She was born to John and Bertie Hudson Quilling on July 21, 1928, in Hardin. Mae grew up in Montana and graduated from the Eureka High School.

She then attended Bible College in Scottsbluff, Neb., where she met and fell in love with Don Nielsen. They subsequently married on Dec. 24, 1949. Don was a minister, and they pastored in the states of Nebraska, Oregon, South Dakota and Montana. In 1998, they retired to Kalispell.

Mae enjoyed crafts, crocheting, cooking, giving parties for her friends, gardening, and always was active in her church. She enjoyed the babies and toddlers, helping in the nursery and teaching toddlers Sunday school, and was involved in Bible studies and women's groups. Mae delighted in her family, spending time with them, going to school and sports events, camping … just being together.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Bertie Quilling; and sisters, Edith Patrick and Marjorie Graber.

She is survived by her husband, Don Nielsen, of 59 years; her four children, Donna and Bob Conrad of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Eldon and Ellen Nielsen of Kalispell, Marilyn and Dennis Dierman of Eureka, and Melvin and Connie Nielsen of Whitefish.

Also surviving are grandchildren Don Conrad, Joe and Heidi Conrad, David and Charity Nielsen, Carolyn and Joshua Salyer, Kayleen Sperry, Kristopher Sperry, Jason Sperry, Brad Nielsen, Jeremy Nielsen, and Megan Nielsen; nine great-grandchildren, Sarah, Cody and Kyle Conrad, Micah Nielsen, Kylee, Gwen, and Willow Salyer, Rileigh Sperry, and Anthony Sperry, as well as brothers and sisters: Bob and Yvonne Quilling, Ray and Allaine Quilling, Dorothy Sheppard, and Lois and Dwight Houchen.

Viewings will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, at Cornerstone Community Church in Kalispell, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 4, at Schnackenberg and Nelson Funeral Home in Eureka, followed by a graveside service at 11 a.m. at Tobacco Valley Cemetery in Eureka. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 4 p.m. at Cornerstone Community Church in Kalispell.

"Mae … wife, Mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend, is already missed and leaves a hole in our lives."