Ida Jean Nielsen

Ida Jean Nielsen (Desrochers), 82, of Rockford IL passed away peacefully on Monday, November 4, 2024.  She was born August 29, 1942 in Moonbeam, Ontario, Canada, the daughter of Samuel and Marguerite (Ouellette) Desrochers. She met a U.S. Air Force man stationed in Canada named Robert Nielsen and they were married on September 1, 1962.  She then moved to the United States to raise her family. She retired from Swedish American Hospital in 2010 after 35 years, starting as a switchboard operator and working up to Supervisor of Cash Application.

She was so proud of her three daughters and adored her four grandchildren.  Full of love, laughter, and resilience, she touched the lives of all who knew her.  She raised three daughters to become just as strong as she was.  Once she put her mind to a project she was determined to complete it which included:  floor and wall tiling, painting, stain glass, sewing projects, and landscaping.  She was known as a great cook and baker; best pie crusts around.  Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and often had them over for sleepovers and crepes for breakfast, the famous crepes.  She loved going out to dinner with family and friends, enjoying a reuben and a beer.  She loved to dance and at one time or two may have danced on a table or chair.

She is survived by her children, Connie (Dwight Brylikowski) Nielsen, Debbie (Jim) Corbett, Kristine Leider, her grandchildren:  Sam Corbett, Olivia Corbett, Danielle Leider, Kaitlin Leider; her siblings:  Clement Desrochers, Maurice Desrochers, Denise Bourgault, Ronald Desrochers, Lucy Tremblay,  along with several nieces and nephews.

Predeceased by her husband, Robert Nielsen; father, Samuel Desrochers; mother Marguerite Desrochers; brother, Henri Desrochers; and sister, Rita Tunney.

A family celebration will be held at a later date to bring her back to Canada.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to hospice organizations.