Linda Sue Nielsen

Linda Sue Nielsen, of Denver Colorado, passed away at Parkview Care Center in Denver on Friday, April 17 2026, at the age of 78. Linda was born on July 15, 1947 in Norfolk, NE to Roland Orville Nielsen and Agnes Blanche (Couture). The family resided in Stanton, NE until her parents’ divorce. Roland then married Betty (Shearer) in 1956 and his jobs took the family to many locations in Colorado.

Linda graduated from Cherry Creek High School in Englewood Colorado in 1965. She attended Metropolitan State College with a Major in Early Childhood Education and a Minor in Speech Pathology. Linda earned her Teacher Certificate in Elementary Education from the State of Colorado. She taught elementary school for a few years until the idea of opening up a daycare in her home was recommended to her.

Linda was approved by the State of Colorado’s Department of Social Services to hold the position of director in a Child Care Center. Linda was able to open up her home on W. Irvington Place in 1982. Linda loved the kids and enjoyed taking care of the babies the most. She created a loving daycare environment and allowed parents the ability to drop off or pick up at all times of the day or night based on their work schedules. Linda kept the kids entertained, especially in the summer, with field trips to the zoo, amusement park or swimming pools. At various times Linda would seek additional help with the kids or housework and she would have her sister Thea, friends Melody Snyder or Gaylene Madrill step in to fill those specific needs. Linda’s passion to help families was evident and many kids felt the love that she provided. She impacted many lives over those years before ending her daycare in 1998.

Linda was a very good cook that loved to teach and gift Melody’s family with the best rolls and other dishes she knew they would enjoy. She was a generous giver and made sure to pass gifts out to family and friends when she found something special for them.

Linda’s faith was very important to her. When she and Thea lived in Englewood they would attend church regularly and be a part of Bible studies. Linda loved to fill her house with Bible verses. These verses would give her daily reminders as she went about her day. Linda was very ready to meet her Creator in Heaven as her health declined.

Linda enjoyed her cats and took care of the strays that would come to the house. She treated these cats like kids and her home was typically filled with cute cat decor items.

Many of her family and friends also enjoyed her sense of humor. Linda could keep a straight face while saying silly and matter of fact things.

Thea and Linda would routinely call their mother in Nebraska on Sunday nights. They supported the Wayne Chicken Days by receiving the annual Chicken Day t-shirts from their half brother Leslie Keenan.

Linda always looked forward to having family members come for visits. Her half nephew Jeremy Keenan, his wife Kay, and their two daughters, Kylie and Krista stopped in on many occasions. He became like a son to her. The highlight visit was when they brought out her mother Agnes to spend a week with her and Thea in 2010 before Thea’s death in 2011.

Linda dealt with mobility issues and in-home healthcare came in to help her for several years. Linda’s good friend of 40 years, Melody Snyder stepped in to handle the needed household details after Linda was placed in the nursing home. The Snyder family has been more than friends but has been her Colorado family since Melody’s children first entered Linda’s daycare in 1982. Linda was blessed with good friendships.

Linda is survived by her half brother Gary Nielsen of Phoenix, AZ, her half sisters Robin (Randy) Nelsen of Winside, NE, Pamela (Kent) Hanika of Lincoln, NE, Wanda Nielsen of Tecumseh, NE, half brother Wade (Michele) Nielsen of Wilsonville, AL, and her half sister-in-law Tami Nielsen of Elk Creek, NE.

She is also survived by her nieces and nephews: Gary’s son, Michael Nielsen of Clearwater, FL; Lela’s 5 children, Jonathan (Yoli) Musgrave of Lincoln, NE, Verna (Chris) Harner of Clyde, OH, Andrew (Amber) Musgrave of Benton, KS, Esther (John) Meyer of Oshkosh, WI, and Philip (Jennifer) Musgrave of Pensacola, FL; Robin’s son, Jeremy (Kay) Keenan of Sioux City, IA;

Pam’s children, Chelsea (Cody) Waller, Tony & Cassie Steen; Wade’s children, Chaunn Nielsen, Austin Nielsen, Brittani (Chase) Skinner, Stephanie Knauss, Amber (Nathan) Crumpton, Tessa (Bailey) Benton; Wanda’s step children, Terri Kerner Riggs, Rick Kerner, and Tracy Kerner, and Roland’s son, Jason (Sonia) Nielsen of Elk Creek, NE.

She was preceded in death by her father Roland Nielsen, Sr, her mother Agnes (Couture) Keenan, her step mother Betty D. (Shearer) Nielsen, her half brothers Leslie Keenan and Roland Nielsen, Jr, her sisters, Lela Frantz and Thea Keenan, and half sister Mary Keenan. Half Niece Alicia Steen and step nephew Justin Knauss.

A celebration of life service will be held 10:30 am Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at the Newcomer West Metro Chapel 901 S. Sheridan Blvd in Lakewood, Colorado 80226. Linda’s final resting place will be at Pleasant View Cemetery in Winside NE.