Ardena Nielsen, age 78, a resident of Wheaton, IL, died Monday, July 25, 2016, at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, IL. She was born July 4, 1938 on Redfern Table, near Oconto, Nebraska to Nita and Arthur Wood.

Ardena grew up on a 600 acre farm where she learned to help her mother plant gardens, help her dad milk the cows, drive tractors and work in the field. She learned hard work paid off.

Ardena went to Kearney State Teachers College in 1956 and earned her Teacher's Certificate. She taught in Cozad and upon marrying the love of her life Gail Nielsen, they moved to Omaha, Nebraska. She taught until the birth of her first child. Gail and Ardena decided that she should stay at home to raise their children. After raising her children she worked at Conservative Baptist Foreign Missions until she retired.

Ardena is survived by her husband of 56 years, Gail Nielsen, 4 children and their spouses and 8 grandchildren, Trent Nielsen, Rhonda and John Wiedenbeck, Brett and Lina Nielsen, Vanessa and Michael O'Brien, Jessica Nielsen (29), Linnea Nielsen (17), Elianna Nielsen (14), Lindsey Beymer (18), Kevin O'Brien (16), Daniel O'Brien (14), Courtney O'Brien (12) and Matthew O'Brien (9). She is also survived by her sister Arlyne StGermaine; as well as her step-grandchildren, Colt Wiedenbeck (32) and Troy Wiedenbeck (31); and her step-great-grandchildren, Landin (11), Garret (12) and Cole (9) Wiedenbeck.

She was preceded in death by two sisters, Wilma Christensen and Donna Calvin.

A visitation will be held on Friday, July 29, 2016 from 4-8 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Wheaton , 1310 North Main Street, Wheaton, IL 60187. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Wheaton. Interment will follow at Wheaton Cemetery in Wheaton, IL.

Memorial gifts may be directed to First Baptist Church of Wheaton at the address above.