Madeleine Verna (Moonias) Nielsen

Madeleine Verna Nielsen (nee Moonias) was born to an Inuit family on January 30th, 1943 in Fort Hope Ontario. Her Dad was a trapper while her Mom looked after her and her 6 brothers and 5 sisters. 

Madeleine was a Residential School student at Fort Frances, Ontario. She only went home during the summer months.

She met Arnie Nielsen in Thunder Bay and on January 21st, 1975, they were married. 

In 1978, they moved to Portage la Prairie. The marriage dissolved a few years later. 

Madeleine lived in many different places during her time in Manitoba, some of which include Manitoba Housing Apartments, Lion's Prairie Manor, Salem House, and the Selkirk Hospital, to name a few, before moving to the Douglas Campbell Lodge in Portage where she was well cared for and spent many happy times. She resided here up until her passing on August 26th, 2020.

Madeleine leaves to mourn her adopted daughter and life coach, Melody Chambers, Melody's mom, Jean Burch, whom Madeleine considered as a sister, and "sisters" Glorie Walker and Pat Tuck -  the "Golden Girls", and Glenn and Mary Loewen, Madeleine's spiritual family, and many other friends. 

A Graveside Service will take place on Friday, September 18th, at the Hillside Cemetery in Portage la Prairie. The grave site is located in Section 8, the newer section of Hillside across the roadway from the West End of the original Hillside Cemetery. Please come for 10:00 AM to enjoy coffee and muffins. For those who are able, please bring along a lawn chair as there will be limited seating provided. Burial will take place at 10:30 AM.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Madeleine Verna (Moonias) Nielsen, please visit our floral store.