Jacqueline (Jackie) Jean Pennar Neilson

October 31, 1938 - January 16, 2025

Jacqueline Jean Pennar Neilson, age 86, passed away peacefully at The Plaza by Vivie in Anoka on Thursday, January 16, 2025.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Fern Pennar, her sister, Terry Pennar Smith, and son, Thomas Michael Neilson.

Jackie is survived by her husband of 65 years, James  Neilson,  three children, Steven (Kathy) Neilson, Debra (Scott) Enebak, and Scott (Michelle) Neilson, seven grandchildren, Tara (Kevin) McDonough, Lindsay (Matthew) Mossinger, Brian (Samantha Heineck) Neilson, Madison (Kai) Röbbecke, Meghan Benton, Nolan and Colin Neilson, and six great-grandchildren, Valerie McDonough, Ellis, Theo and Ethan Mossinger, Emma Neilson, and Ida Röbbecke.

Jackie was born in Alexandria, Minnesota on October 31, 1938, to Robert Pennar and Fern Robbins Pennar.  She spent the majority of her married life in Anoka, the Halloween Capitol of the World, where we could celebrate "Jacqueline Jean born on Halloween."

She grew up in Alexandria, Minnesota, graduated in 1956 from Alexandria High School, and maintained lifelong friendships with extended family and friends.  Jackie met her future husband on a blind date set up by her high school classmate, a cousin of the future groom. Jackie graduated from Northwestern Hospital Nurses training with an RN degree in September 1959 and was married in September 1959.  She worked as a nurse at Northwestern Hospital helping her husband through law school before later returning full-time to her vocation as a homemaker and mother.

She led a life of service to her family, church, and community.  She was involved with the League of Women Voters, American Red Cross, initiated the picture lady program at St Stephen's School for art appreciation, was a Great Books leader, and later served as a Docent at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.  She was an avid reader, golfer, gourmet cook, bridge player and traveler. She was known for her faith, wit, infectious laugh, and the gift of hospitality. When bad things happen, we look for helpers and Jackie was a helper bringing love to those in need.

Mass of Christian Burial is at St. Stephen's Catholic Church, 525 Jackson Street, Anoka, Minnesota on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 11:00 am, with visitation at 10:00 am.   Internment at Calvary Cemetery in Anoka.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to be sent to St. Stephen's Catholic School, 506 Jackson Street, Anoka, MN 55303, for the perpetual scholarship fund in memory of Thomas M. Neilson.

Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home - Anoka, Minnesota - 763-421-0220