Anita O'Rielly was born July 7, 1920 to Albert and Ellen (Swanson) O'Rielly in Chamberlain, SD. She enjoyed a happy childhood growing up in Pukwana, SD, a small town with many opportunities in the school system and the church for lasting friendships. She began piano lessons at an early age, continuing into adulthood. Another great joy was training and riding her Shetland pony. Many times would trade rides with friends who had bicycles. She was baptized in St. Fredrick's Church and confirmed in the Pukwana Free Lutheran Church in May of 1934.

In June of 1936 she moved with her parents to Yankton, SD, when her father began employment with the Government Feed and Seed Loan Program. She graduated from Yankton High School in 1937 and went on to earn a B.A. degree from Yankton College in 1941. She also continued piano during those years, when for two summers she was secretary to Dr. Lee N. Dailey, head of the Conservatory at Yankton College. After graduation, she worked briefly at WNAX as a secretary. She then went on to teach commercial subjects and English at high schools in Emery, Vale, and Tripp, SD. This was the height of World War II, and travel was difficult.

On January 11, 1944 she married Capt. Howard (Hod) Nielsen when he returned from overseas duty. They lived at Will Rogers Field Airbase in Oklahoma City, OK and also at Coffeyville (Kansas) Airbase, where their first child, Janet, was born. Later the family lived at Rapid City, SD for three years, where they enjoyed church and school activities. After their return to Yankton, they established their home in which they lived since 1955.

Her memory is cherished by her husband Hod of Yankton, SD; daughters Janet (Loren) Gratz of Tucson, AZ and Karen (Wes) Wingett of Norfolk, NE; one son Dick of Lincoln, NE; grandsons Robbin (Erica) List of Robinson, IL, Nathan Gratz of Tucson, AZ, and Evan (JoHanna) Gratz of San Francisco, CA; and great granddaughters Bailey, Lucy, and Annika List.

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