Frieda Artner Nelsen, 77, was born June 12, 1934 to parents Josef Artner and Maria Winterbacher Artner in Lower Austria Parish Melk, Deanship Ybbs. She passed away on December 20, 2011 in Palacios, Texas. Her parents preceded her in death, as did three brothers, two sisters, and a son-in-law Vernon L. Henkes.

She is survived by her husband: Alton N. Nelsen of Palacios; sister: Theresa Artner of Vienna, Austria; her four children and their spouses, and by numerous nieces and nephews both in the United States and in Europe.

Frieda immigrated to Canada in June of 1955 and in October of that year married her husband of 56 years. Together, they had four children: Linda Miculka & husband David of El Campo, Patsy Simpson & husband Clay of Johnson City, Donna Henkes Tuttle & husband Steve of Lake Jackson, and Aaron Nelsen & wife M'Liss of Pflugerville. Frieda is survived by eight grandchildren: Kyle Simpson, Brian Miculka, Jenna Henkes Warner, Kayla Simpson, Courtney Henkes, Meredith Nelsen, Amanda Nelsen, and Morgan Nelsen and also by two great grandchildren: Connor Henkes and Lilly Simpson.

Frieda loved children and was especially proud of her own. During her married life, she made five return trips to Austria to visit relatives and friends. She had a kind and loving heart and will be sorely missed.

The family will receive visitors from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at Palacios Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, December 22, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church of Palacios with Rev. June White officiating. Interment will follow at Hawley Cemetery in Blessing. Pallbearers will be: Ira Rose, Pablo Dominguez, Edward Gurecky, Brian Miculka, Matthew Hansen, and Craig Glasscock. Memorials in Frieda's memory may be made to Houston Hospice – El Campo, P. O. Box 1417, El Campo, Texas 77437.