Nancy Marie Niesen

Nancy Marie (Barrett, Bonds, Ladsten) NiesenNancy Marie Niesen (75), Houston, MN, passed on to greener pastures on July 7, 2015, as a result of a year-long cancer illness. Nancy was born on June 21, 1940, to Phillip and Ruth (Rank) Dickson. In 1952 she was adopted by her mother's second husband, Earl Niesen. Nancy spent many years living on the Money Creek, MN farm with her grandparents, Marie (Wells) Rank Corey and Joseph Corey. It was there that she developed her love for country life and all animals, especially horses and cats. Nancy could recite the names of every horse and cat she ever owned. As a child, Nancy attended the Money Creek School and was baptized and confirmed at the Money Creek United Methodist Church. After moving to La Crosse, WI, she attended Central High School and graduated in 1957. Following graduation, Nancy worked as a dental assistant until her marriage in 1958 to her high school sweetheart, David Barrett. They moved to the Aurora, Illinois area and had one son, Bret Allen Barrett. During their years together, Nancy influenced David to take up her passion--Quarter Horses. Indeed, Nancy regaled us with many stories of horse racing at the quarter mile tracks. David and Nancy parted in 1970. In 1971 Nancy married James Bonds and purchased a farm on Vinegar Hill, outside of Money Creek. There, Nancy and Jim started farming, milking cows, and raising Quarter Horses. Jim died of cancer in 1974 and Nancy continued farming until 1976. In 1977 she married Lowell Ladsten. She and Lowell lived in Spring Grove and then Mabel, MN. Nancy helped out on Ladsten's Auto Sales car lot and worked at Rush Products (TRW) in Rushford, MN, until TRW closed. Nancy and Lowell divorced and Nancy returned to live in Money Creek and Houston for her remaining daysWhile living in Houston, Nancy re-connected with an old friend, Roger Anderson. They spent many happy hours together watching movies, visiting with friends, and enjoying late suppers. Roger took care of Nancy during her final illness until her passing. Nancy loved her family, her home, knitting, cooking, and her two rescued cats, Tuffy and Trouble. She always had lots of flowers. She was a home body, and would rather be at home than anywhere--reading, knitting, cooking, or working in the yard.Nancy is survived by her mother, Ruth Marie (Rank) Niesen, of Houston, MN; son, Bret (Dana Merworth) Barrett, of Artesia, New Mexico; two grandchildren, Jessica Barrett, of Levelland, Texas, and Josh Barrett of Artesia, New Mexico; and three great-grandchildren, Frankie and Dean Barrett and Coraline Fowler. She is further survived by a brother, Phillip (Kathryn Theisen) Niesen of Houston, MN and nieces, Laura and Cynthia Niesen and their children of Rochester, MN. Nancy also is survived by her significant other, Roger Anderson, of Rushford, MN. She was predeceased by her grandparents, Marie and Joseph Corey, Gale and Cleo Rank, and her adopted father, Earl Niesen.A memorial celebration of life will be held at the Money Creek United Methodist Church Saturday, July 11, 2015, 10:00 a.m. with Pastor James Strom officiating. Visitation will be at 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. A private burial will take place at a later time in the Money Creek Cemetery. Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service in Rushford, MN, is assisting with arrangements.In lieu of flowers please make a memorial donation to any local animal shelter as that was Nancy's passion, to Houston Area Cancer Support, Inc., Houston, MN, to Rushford Lutheran Church, Rushford, MN, or Money Creek United Methodist Church, Houston, MN.Nancy's family thanks the staff of Good Shepherd Lutheran Nursing Home, Rushford, MN, and Winona Health Hospice, Winona, MN, for their kind and gentle care.