Cindy Sue Nielsen was born September 11, 1950 the daughter of Robert D. and Marilyn (Bruce) Haning.

She was raised in Knoxville and graduated from Knoxville High School with the Class of 1968. She then attended Graceland College in Lamoni, earning a B.A. in education. Cindy worked as a teacher for a while before joining the United States Army Reserve. She had been stationed primarily at Camp Dodge and Ft. Leavenworth. On December 10, 1983 Cindy was united in marriage to (Brigadier General Retired) Franklin Eldon Nielsen. The couple had resided in Lansing, Kansas and Knoxville, Iowa.

In her spare time, Cindy enjoyed traveling and had been to Alaska a couple times and to Hawaii. She also volunteered for numerous organizations. Cindy was dedicated to her family and friends and loved spending time with them. Most importantly, was Cindy’s dedication to God and her church family at Community of Christ Church.

Cindy passed away Sunday, December 21, 2025 at the Knoxville Hospital & Clinics at the age of 75 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Marilyn Haning; husband, Franklin and step-son, Thomas Nielsen.

Those left to cherish Cindy’s memory include her sister, Mindy Matthess of Knoxville; brother, Bruce Haning of Bird City, Kansas; step-children: Mike (Martha) Nielsen and Charles Nielson; step-grandchildren: Nathaniel (Megan) Nielsen, Michael Nielsen, Jr., Sarah (Luke) Kelberer and Stephen Nielsen; great-grandchildren: Lillian, Nathaniel, Theodore, Lily and Chloe; nephews and nieces: Tim DeZwarte, Troy DeZwarte, Andy (Rory Brown) Haning and Caty (Dougie Branson) Haning and their child Andie Kay Branson and many other family members and friends.