Wenona Nielsen

Minot

Wenona Dell Nielsen was born on Jan. 19, 1936, as the fifth child of Nanna (Peterson) and Leonard Bjurquist in Wisconsin. She attended local schools in Pepin, Wisconsin.

During her junior year of high school, Nonie moved to North Dakota to help care for her niece, Faye. She attended Plaza High School and met her future husband, Morris “Sonny” Nielsen.

Afterward, Nonie returned home and graduated from Pepin High School. The summer after graduation, she worked at a fast-food restaurant in Minneapolis. Then, she moved to Minot, where she worked at Kreskie’s Dime Store.

On April 30, 1955, Wenona “Nonie” was united in marriage to Morris “Sonny” Nielsen at First Lutheran Church in Plaza.

They made their home on a farm just outside of Plaza, where they planted many trees over the years, creating a wonderful habitat for observing wildlife.

Nonie and Sonny had three daughters, who blessed them with eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Family was a central focus of Nonie’s life, and she was known for her loving and caring nature. She felt fortunate to live close to her daughters and their families. She loved to visit her family in Wisconsin, often taking an Amtrak train, being greeted in Red Wing, and all going out for breakfast.

Nonie worked for many years as a teller for Peoples Bank in Plaza. After Sonny passed away in Nov. 2002, she moved to Minot and began working at Herberger’s. She enjoyed her job and made many wonderful friends there. She retired when the store closed in 2018. After a courageous battle with cancer, her daughter Cindy passed away in 2019.

Nonie enjoyed making quilts and spending time outdoors, appreciating her yard, flowers, trees, birds, and even the pesky squirrels. She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Plaza and attended Bethany Lutheran Church in Minot, where she participated in various activities.

Wenona Nielsen passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at a Minot hospital, surrounded by her daughters. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness and will be fondly remembered.

Nonie is survived by her daughters, Jodi (Bruce) Underdahl of Plaza and Jayme (Chuck) Fritel of Hazen; grandchildren, Tyler, Annie, and Emily; Josh (Tamara) and Chris; Caleb, Ethan, and Molly (Mikel); great-grandchildren, Easton, Ellie, Tate, Jack, Everett, Sonnet, Alden, Lucy, and Noah; son-in-law, Carter Braaflat; siblings, Elliot (Betty) Bjurquist; Jerry (Karen) Bjurquist, Lee (Kathie) Bjurquist, and Nolan Bjurquist; brother-in-law, Jim Nielsen; sister-in-law, Thelma Loffelmacher; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Morris; daughter Cindy Braaflat; siblings, Laurel (Bob) Haglund, Chuck (Edna) Bjurquist, Wanda (Leonard) Olson, Frank (Delores) Bjurquist, and Lois Albarado; and several in-laws.

Family and Friends Visitation: Monday, April 7, 2025, from 4-7 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, Plaza, with a closing prayer at 7 p.m.

Funeral: Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 10 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, Plaza

Final Resting Place: North Plaza Cemetery, Plaza

Langhans Funeral Home, Parshall www.langhansfuneralhome.com

Published by The Minot Daily News, April 5, 2025.