Nelda died very peacefully at the age of 98, at the beautiful Birches Boarding Home in Leonidas, with caretakers who loved her very much surrounding her. A few weeks before her death she told a dear friend with joy that she was waiting to see Jesus.
Nelda was born in Pittsford, Michigan, and graduated from Addison High School. She met Duane (Sparky) Dear after he returned from the Navy in WWII. They were both 19 when they met, and they married soon after in a wonderful ceremony at Rollin Baptist Church in Rollin, Michigan. They raised three children, a girl and two boys. On October 31, 1988, Duane passed away.
Ten years later Nelda met and married Richard Walter Mikolajczyk from Leonidas, Michigan, who had lost his own wife a few years earlier. They were married on May 23,1998 in a beautiful ceremony at a little white country church in Hudson. Nelda then acquired 8 new step-daughters whom she greatly loved.
Nelda spent many happy years on his farm, often going with Richard on his many truck-driving trips for the Amish. They both were members of the Factoryville Bible Church where they had many good friends. Richard passed away on January 9, 2022 in the Birches Boarding Home where he and Nelda both shared a lovely room together.
Nelda is survived by three children: Cheryl (Daniel), Ronald (Cibele) and James (Bridgid); seven grandchildren: Nathan, Benjamin and Jessica (from Cheryl); Zachary and Travis (from Ron), and Amber and Aaron (from (Jim); and fourteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by eight precious step-daughters: Carlene, Linda, Gloria, Sharon, Patricia, Donna, Debbie and Lisa – and their children and grandchildren.
Nelda will be greatly missed by all of her family whom she loved, appreciated and kept often in her prayers.
The family will receive friends for visitation at the Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home, Addison, on Monday, May 12, 2025, from 5:00p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Funeral service will be at Factoryville Bible Church in Athens, Michigan on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Fred Goebert officiating. Visitation will be held at the church for an hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery, Addison.
Memorial contributions can be made to the family for future designation. Friends can express sympathies to the family online by visiting the tribute wall at www.brownvanhemert.com. Arrangements have been made with the guidance of the Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home, Addison.