Mary Brehl Nielsen
Born March 8, 1924 – Died May 26, 2025.
Mary was born in Columbus, Ohio and lived in German Village growing up with Brother, Joseph Brehl and Sister, Rowena Brehl Rueckel.
She married Richard Nielsen in 1950, and they had a daughter in 1954, Mary Ann Nielsen and a son, Richard Nielsen III in 1957.
After buying and updating two houses in Columbus, the family moved to Saint Louis in 1969. Her husband’s retail career necessitated additional moves to Indianapolis, Indiana; Minneapolis, Minnesota and Cincinnati, Ohio, making friends all along the way. Mary and Dick returned to Columbus to start a chain of convenience Card/Gift shops, “Nielsens.” Suddenly becoming a widow in November 1992, Mary chose to return to Saint Louis Missouri to join her son and daughter. Never one to slow down, she became very involved with her beloved parish, Our Lady of Lourdes University City. She was a regular at water aerobics for many years and developed many dear friends. Naming themselves “The Water Lillies”, Mary organized and published a synopsis of all their interesting lives. European trips were her thrill and was known as a consummate Francophile and Eifel Tower lover. She lived on her own until the age of 97. She treasured her sister’s and Brother’s families and was a wonderful Aunt, Great-aunt and Great-great Aunt. A party for her 100thbirthday was celebrated with her children and treasured nieces in 2024.
Mary will be missed by all that she encountered and befriended.
Services: Funeral Mass will be held Monday, June 2, 2025 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 7148 Forsyth Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63105 at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions in her memory to:
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish
Or
The American Heart Association.
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