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Nellie was born October 6, 1917 to Ewart and Fern (Owens) McGavren in Missouri Valley, Iowa. Her family moved several times during her school days. In her last year of high school in Sioux City, Iowa, she was given the opportunity to join a 100 piece marimba orchestra on a voyage of the Ile de France to play at the opening of the 1935 Brussels World Fair. Other performances were in Paris and at Carnegie Hall in New York City. She returned to Sioux City in time to play for her class graduation exercises. She then attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she met her future husband, Alan Mulliken. They were married June 9, 1940, and had three children, Jerry, Becky, and Jack.
Nellie was active in local church, school, and 4-H activities. She belonged to the Rosedale Woman's Club, an antique club, and served on the board of the Louis E. May Museum. She played the pipe organ at the UCC Congregational Church of Fremont for over 20 years. Nellie enjoyed living and working on the family farm near Nickerson and could play a mean rag on the piano well into her 80's. She and Alan enjoyed traveling in later years, and made several trips abroad, including Europe, Russia, and China.
Survivors include: son Jerry and wife Sharon Mulliken of Nickerson, son Jack and wife Pam Mulliken of Nickerson and their children Robert and wife Ryan Mulliken with their daughter Samantha, Jennifer and husband David Baker with their daughters Catrina and Caitlyn, Michelle and husband Noah Knisley, and Kelsey and Tyler; granddaughter Liesa and husband Mitch Miller with their children Alex and Emily.
She was preceded in death by her husband Alan in March of 2009, daughter Becky (Mulliken) Spencer, and also her sister Mary Grace Schroeder, and brother Don McGavren.
The memorial service will be 10 AM Friday, November 16th, at the First Congregational Church UCC in Fremont. There is no public visitation. There will be a private committal in Memorial Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the First Congregational Church Music Fund or the Books for Babies Fund c/o The Fremont Area Community Foundation.
online guestbook @ www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Ludvigsen Mortuary in Fremont is in charge of arrangements.
Nellie was active in local church, school, and 4-H activities. She belonged to the Rosedale Woman's Club, an antique club, and served on the board of the Louis E. May Museum. She played the pipe organ at the UCC Congregational Church of Fremont for over 20 years. Nellie enjoyed living and working on the family farm near Nickerson and could play a mean rag on the piano well into her 80's. She and Alan enjoyed traveling in later years, and made several trips abroad, including Europe, Russia, and China.
Survivors include: son Jerry and wife Sharon Mulliken of Nickerson, son Jack and wife Pam Mulliken of Nickerson and their children Robert and wife Ryan Mulliken with their daughter Samantha, Jennifer and husband David Baker with their daughters Catrina and Caitlyn, Michelle and husband Noah Knisley, and Kelsey and Tyler; granddaughter Liesa and husband Mitch Miller with their children Alex and Emily.
She was preceded in death by her husband Alan in March of 2009, daughter Becky (Mulliken) Spencer, and also her sister Mary Grace Schroeder, and brother Don McGavren.
The memorial service will be 10 AM Friday, November 16th, at the First Congregational Church UCC in Fremont. There is no public visitation. There will be a private committal in Memorial Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the First Congregational Church Music Fund or the Books for Babies Fund c/o The Fremont Area Community Foundation.
online guestbook @ www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Ludvigsen Mortuary in Fremont is in charge of arrangements.