Ione Beth Neilson

Cambria/Portage; Ione B. Neilson, age 92, formerly of Cambria died peacefully on Thursday evening, August 18, 2016 at Tivoli in Portage. Funeral services for Ione will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at the First Presbyterian Church in Cambria with Rev. Kristin Frederich officiating. Burial will be held in the Cambria Cemetery with a dinner following in the church’s fellowship hall. Relatives and friends may call on the family at the church on Tuesday from 1p.m. until the time of service. Ione was born on Sept. 7, 1923 in rural Randolph, Town of Westford, Dodge County, to Glenn and Lottie (Mills) Smith. She was a 1941 graduate of Cambria High School. After school Ione worked at Jenkins Motors in Portage. On June 18, 1942 she was united in marriage to Harris Neilson. Together they farmed until 1963 when they moved to the Village of Cambria. After moving to Cambria both Harris and Ione took jobs at the canning factory, (Michigan Fruits) now Del Monte. Ione worked both as a secretary and in the warehouse on the labeling line until her retirement. Ione was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Cambria where she once served as treasurer. She volunteered on a local and state level with both the Girl Scouts and Homemakers, and also participated with the Rust Willing Workers 4H group. Ione enjoyed gardening and playing cards with friends and in her later years, trips to Ho-Chunk Casino. Ione is survived by her daughters Mary (Tim) Gurlea, of Stevens Point and Glenna (Gary) Schumann of Poynette; one granddaughter, Brenda Schumann; two great-grandchildren, Mykiah and Nierra Schumann; three step-grandchildren and seven step great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Ione was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 1998, a granddaughter Teresa Newkirk in 1965, a grandson Scott Schumann in 2013, four sisters and one brother. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Agrace Hospice, 1670 South Blvd., Baraboo, WI 53913 or to a charity of one’s choice. The Kratz-Smedema Funeral Home in Cambria is serving the family. For more information or online condolences, please visit www.kratzfh.com.