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Lisa J. (Anderson) Nissen

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WAUSA — Funeral services for Lisa J. (Anderson) Nissen, 51, Wausa, were Dec. 8, at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Bloomfield. Rev. Tim Podraza officiated, with burial in the Lutheran Cemetery, Wausa.

Visitation and a Vigil Service were Dec. 7 at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church.

Brockhaus Funeral Home, Wausa, was in charge of arrangements.

Lisa died Dec. 1, 2018, surrounded by family and friends at her residence after a courageous nine-month battle with breast cancer.

Lisa Jean Nissen, daughter of Vonel and Marilyn (Wrick) Anderson, was born Oct. 30, 1967, at Linwood, Calif. Her family lived in Downey, Calif., until they moved to Wausa, in 1976. Lisa graduated from Wausa Public High School. She excelled in many sports and speech and drama activities.  She attended Midland Lutheran College and graduated in 1989, earning a bachelor of arts degree in education. During her college years at Midland, Lisa was involved in Greek life, basketball and track. She continues to hold track records at both Wausa High School and Midland Lutheran College. Her first teaching job was at Palmer High School from 1989-1992.  She moved to Wausa and continued to teach English at Crofton High School from 1992-2011.  Lisa enjoyed teaching as well as coaching both basketball and speech and drama.  She enjoyed taking an active role in students’ lives.

Lisa married Michael Nissen May 1, 1993, at Thabor Lutheran Church, Wausa. They were blessed with four children, Bradley, Darren, Paige and Jonathan.  

Lisa enjoyed being a wife and mother.  She made sure that everyone made it to their appointments on time, the house was taken care of, the meals were cooked, and Max was fed and loved.  She immersed herself in all of her family’s activities.  Lisa enjoyed watching them and celebrating their successes.  She was their biggest supporter.

Since education was important to Lisa, she decided to return to school and attended Northeast Community College, earning her ADN degree in 2017. While going to college, she worked as a CNA and LPN, and upon completion of her degree, as a Registered Nurse at Osmond General Hospital. Lisa absolutely loved her coworkers and her job at the hospital.  Her biggest enjoyment came from helping others.  She always put others’ needs before her own. She was an active volunteer in her tightknit community and its numerous school activities.

Her caring nature was also shown with her friends and family.  She took her children camping and hosted gatherings that served Nissen wine. Lisa was a talented cook and baker, and enjoyed sharing it with others.  The added ingredient to her homemade dishes was love.

Lisa also enjoyed her personal time and was an avid reader. She loved curling up with a warm blanket and a good book. And because the English teacher in her could not be silenced, she would always correct people’s grammar when they misspoke, such as “I seen” and “me and my friend.”

Lisa was a member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Bloomfield, St. Andrew’s Altar Society, and was a CCD teacher for many years.

Lisa is survived by her husband, Michael, Wausa; children, Darren, Rapid City, S.D.; and Paige and Jonathan, Wausa; parents, Vonel and Marilyn Anderson, Wausa; brother, Michael (Lynn) Anderson, Chatsworth, Ga.; sister, Laura (Troy) Schwanebeck, Norfolk; in-laws, Maret (Wayne) Rempp, Yankton, S.D.; Bill (Heidi) Nissen, Riverton, Utah; Michelle (Shelby) Rogers, Draper, Utah; David Nissen, Hartington; Mark Nissen, Bennett; and Tim Nissen, Hartington; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her son, Bradley; grandparents, Carl and Frances Anderson, and Albert and Marie Wrick; parents-in-law, Victor and Betty Nissen; and sister-in-law, Peggy Nissen.