Giena Maria Nilson February 2, 1929 ~ August 2, 2013 Giena Nilson passed away on Friday, August 2, 2013, at Luther Haven Nursing Home in Montevideo, Minnesota, at the age of 84 years and 6 months. She is survived by her daughter Mary Hartfiel of Dawson, Minnesota; son, Larry (Ann) Nilson of Boyd, Minnesota; and daughter, Ramona (Bob "Meat-head") Schmitz of Springfield, Minnesota. She is also survived by her grandchildren and great grandchildren: Jason (Heidi) Hartfiel, Blake and Amber, Misty (Dalton) Pharr, Elizabeth, Nicolas, Tabatha, Rachel and Caleb, Heather (Jeff) Piotter, Valerie, Vanessa and Jared, Holly (Bob) Miles, Danielle and Laney, Cory Schmitz (fiancé Chrysta) McKenzie, Jayda and Shylee, Kristy (special friend Todd) Booth, Jaden, Taylor and Gavin, Kelly Schmitz, Ethan and Aiden and Katiejo Schmitz. She was preceded in death by her family in Poland; husband, Everett Nilson; special friend, Harley Martinson and her son-in-law, Tom Hartfiel. Giena Maria Nilson was born Gwenowefja Maria Teresa Olgaginski in Lodz, Poland on February 2, 1929. She was the daughter of Joseph and Regina Skupinski. She was confirmed in a Catholic church in Poland. At the age of 10, she was separated from her mother and forced to do slave labor. Her mother was forced to dig ditches in Germany for the Nazis' war efforts. Giena and her mother did not know about each other for many years. She lived with few hopes of happier times, living in austere accommodations and often with a lack of food. Giena married Sgt. Everett Nilson, of Boyd, in 1946, while living in Germany. Their daughter Mary Ann was born in Stuttgart, Germany. They came to America in 1947 and lived in Hopkins at the home of relative Noel Strand and family. The family moved to Esterville, Iowa, and son Larry was born there. In 1952 the family moved to Boyd and Giena remained there her entire life. A daughter, Ramona, was born in 1961. After living in the United States for many years, she was informed that her mother was still living. She made many trips to Poland to visit her. Her mother passed away in 2000 at age 95. Giena missed her native country but also enjoyed her life in the United States. She was very active while living in Boyd. She was always a hard worker, working at the Boyd Liquor Store or at her home. She loved yard work and gardening. She never had a drivers license, but after 16 tries, she was given a license for ID purposes. She did much walking both in summer and winter. Giena had a tragic but also triumphant life. She was proud of her children and grandchildren. She had many friends. Her family and friends will miss her dearly. Blessed be the life of this wonderful lady. In Loving Memory of Giena Maria Nilson Funeral Service Wednesday, August 7, 2013 ~ 1:00 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church, Boyd, Minnesota Clergy Officiating, Pastor Lori Wold Scripture Readings Isaiah 43: 1-5 Romans 5: 1-8; 14: 7-9 John 14: 1-7 Organist, Mavis Hutt Congregational Hymns "Amazing Grace" (Processional) "On Eagles Wings" (Recessional) Special Music, Mavis Hutt "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" Casket Bearers Bob Schmitz ~ Bob Miles Cory Schmitz ~ Jason Hartfiel Tuna Bukowski ~ Ordell Zietlow Final Resting Place Trinity Lutheran Cemetery Boyd, Minnesota Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota