Myrna Louise Nissen, 79, of Atlantic, Iowa passed away Jan. 27, 2018 at Pathfinder Place in Fremont.

The daughter of Orvin and Orlinda (Schulz) Karloff, she was born June 6, 1938 at the Ruth Potter Hospital in Fremont. She began studies at Leshara Elementary School in Leshara and graduated from Valley High School in Valley in 1955. She then attended Wayne State College in Wayne, before transferring to Luther Junior College in Wahoo to receive her diploma in elementary education. After her schooling, she was employed as an elementary teacher for a couple of years in Fremont.

On July 17, 1960, she was united in marriage to H. Richard Nissen in Yutan. They had three sons, Chris, Mark and Craig. They made their home in Missouri Valley, Iowa, where she taught at the Logan Community Schools for a few years. In 1969, they moved to Atlantic, Iowa, where she was a homemaker for several years, raising their family. She was then employed as a teacher with Little Lambs Preschool in Atlantic, until she retired. They continued to enjoy their home in Atlantic before moving to Fremont in September of 2017.

She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic, where she was very active in the church. She loved anything to do with music. She led music programs in school and at church and sang in the church choir. She really enjoyed cooking and she loved sharing her skills in the kitchen with everyone. She had a song and a meal for every occasion. Most of all, she loved being able to spend time with her family and attending the kids’ and grandkids’ school activities.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Nissen of Atlantic, Iowa; her twin sister, Myrtle Nygren of Fremont; sons, Chris and wife Heidi Nissen of Winter Haven, Fla., Mark and wife Gemma Nissen of Elk Grove, Ill. and Craig and wife Christen Nissen of Sheldon, Iowa; grandchildren, Stefan Nissen, Parker Nissen, Carter Nissen, Sam Nissen and Grayson Nissen; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Jaceta Kovanda.

Funeral services were Feb. 3 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic, with Pastor Grant VanLishout presiding. A private family burial took place at the Atlantic Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic or the American Cancer Society. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

Originally published in the Wahoo Newspaper on February 5, 2018.