Neva Lena Marie Nielsen, age 91, of Marion and formerly of Waterloo, died Saturday, January 18, 2014 at Winslow House Care Center in Marion.

She was born February 19, 1922 in Dysart, Iowa, the daughter of Ellis H. and Lena L. (Hitt) Stephens. Neva was united in marriage with Darwin O. Nielsen on January 27, 1945 in Camp Lejune, N.C. He preceded her in death on September 30, 2012.

Neva was a teacher at River Hills School in Cedar Falls for 15 years, retiring in 1976. She attended the University of Northern Iowa, was an active volunteer and leader in the Girl Scouts for over 10 years and was a longtime volunteer at Edison grade school. Neva was a longtime active member of Grace Reformed Church in Waterloo.

Survivors include a son, Steven (Kathy Sue) Nielsen of Tooele, Utah; 2 daughters, Carol (Jim) Nesbit of rural Waterloo and Catherine (Kirk) Gray of rural Vinton; 9 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and a sister, Dorothy Perry of La Porte City.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; 5 brothers, Gerald, Delford,

Stanley, Robert and Joe Stephens and 2 sisters, Mary Timmerman and Ethel in infancy.