Judith Nielsen

NIELSEN, Judith Hakes
of Lakeland, Florida
formerly of Kalamazoo, MI Passed away November 10, 2009 at Bronson Methodist Hospital. She was born January 3, 1939 in Galesburg, to the late Elden and Winifred Welch Burgess. Judith was united in marriage on June 29, 1996, to Bjarne Nielsen, who survives. Judy devoted her working life to helping others, as a teachers aid, working with the blind, and as a social worker with the State of Michigan, where she cofounded Café Can Do and served as a board member of the SHARE Center. She enjoyed gardening, bird watching and all of her many crafts. Also surviving Judith are her daughters, Tammy Hakes and Tracy Mike Steffler, both of Kalamazoo, and Terri Clifton Stephney of Bloomington, IN; seven grandchildren, Torlando Hakes, Dustin, Ty and Morgan Steffler, Janay, Leigha and Myles Stephney; sisters, Brenda Hill and Barbara Forrest MacKellar; and several nieces, nephews and step-grandchildren. Also preceding her in death was a brother-in-law, Roy Hill. A Memorial Service will take place Saturday, 12:00 o'clock at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St., where family will greet friends from 10 - 12:00 o'clock just prior to the service. Memorials in Judith's name may be directed to Oxfam America, 226 Causeway Street, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02114. Please see www.langelands.com for online obituary, directions, register book and condolences. 343-1508