Athena Lynn Nielsen

September 22, 1964 - March 31, 2019

Athena Lynn Schoenstein Nielsen was born on September 22, 1964 in Grand Island, Nebraska to Robert and Karen (Norris) Schoenstein. She grew up in Aurora, Nebraska where she graduated from Aurora High School in 1982. Athena attended Beauty School in Grand Island. As a young girl, Athena developed her love of music and played the flute in the high school band. Athena was blessed with 3 children: Ahlia, Andrew and Kaitlyn and she has raised her family in Grand Island, Omaha, King Lake and Waterloo over the years. She has spent most of her working career as a care giver both in a Nursing Home and with In-Home care. Athena continued her love of music, her children and animals. She loved the music of KISS and relaxing in front of the television watching retro shows. Athena was an avid Patriots fan, loved home cooking and a cold Coke, and dinner out at Outback. Athena passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 31 at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha at the age of 54 years, 6 months and 9 days. She was preceded in death by her father Robert and step-father Gene Bryant. Athena is survived by her children: Ahlia Montague, Andrew Nielsen and Kaitlyn Nielsen all of Elkhorn; grandson Alijah Montague; her mother Karen Bryant of Waterloo, Nebraska; and step-mother Sandy Schoenstein of Gretna, NE.