A Celebration of Life for Thelma R. (Tuff) Nielsen, 97, of Sisseton, South Dakota will be held on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at the Peever Lutheran Church in Peever, South Dakota at 2:00 P.M. Officiating the service will be Pastor Sheila Pohl. Amy Currence will be the pianist. Pall Bearers will be Dustin Garness, Nate Nielsen, Blake Nielsen, Luke Nielsen, Garrett Backman, and Jacob Backman. Honorary Pall Bearers will be Cassie Garness, Sami Van Asselt, Emmalee Nielsen, Aaron Haaf, Andrew Haaf, and Ryleigh Backman. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service starting at 1:00 P.M. Interment will be at the Peever Cemetery in Peever, South Dakota. Cahill Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Thelma was born June 13, 1926 in Peever, SD to Andrew and Blanche (Bailly)Tuff. She attended Peever School and was a faithful lifetime member of the Peever Lutheran Church. On November 4, 1943 she married Clarence Nielsen from Wilmot, SD. They lived around the Peever area all of their married life, other than a year spent in Baldwin, KS. Thelma spent several years working as a cook at Peever School, except for the year she and Clarence ran the Peever Cafe, which was very popular. Clarence was a lifelong farmer, it was not easy for Thelma to transition from being a "town girl" to becoming a farmer's wife. She never did spend much time in the barn, BUT spent all summer hauling meals to the field, moving machinery, going for parts, and driving grain trucks to town during harvest. Thelma loved to sing and dance. Until the end she could sing old songs, hymns, and say the creeds. Thelma enjoyed reading, playing Bingo, embroidery, and especially loved cards and games played with her family and friends. Thelma Rosemund (Tuff) Nielsen passed away at the Tekakwitha Living Center on Thursday, June 22,2023.

Thelma is survived by her two children, Barbara (Chester) Garness of Chisago City, MN  and Gary (Sharon) Nielsen of Peever, SD. She cherished all of her grandchildren, Jack (Brenda) Garness of Crooks, SD; Lisa (Jim) Haaf of Stafford, VA,; Dawn (Jim) Backman of Flaxville, MT; and Gordon (Kari) Nielsen of Sisseton, SD.  Great grandchildren Dustin (Hezel) Garness, Cassie (Jerry Morelos) Garness, Sami (Austin) Van Asselt, Aaron and Andrew Haaf, Garrett (Cassidy) Backman, Jacob and Ryleigh Backman; Nate, Blake, Emmalee and Luke Nielsen.  Great-great grandchildren Keanu Morelos; Bryar, Presley, and Cameron Backman, and many nieces and nephews.

Thelma was the last of her generation on both sides of her family. She is preceded in death by her husband Clarence (June 10, 1987) both of her parents, two sisters Lillian and Delores; six brothers Emmett, Alvin, Clifford, Curtis, James and Gene.