Olson Burke-Sullivan Funeral And Cremation Center

Obituary Detail

February 07, 1932 April 25, 2019
February 07, 1932 -- April 25, 2019

Emily Nielson, Age:87

Emily Kobylak Nielson passed away on Thursday, April 25th, 2019. Emily had Alzheimer’s Disease and at the time she passed away was at home with her loving husband Burt Nielson and wonderful caregiver Josie Celis. She was a loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, wife, and friend. She is survived by her sister Joan Bakos, her daughter Nicholette Kominos who is married to Kristan Marvell, and her grandchildren Katie Jones and Wren Kominos-Marvell, and  nephews and nieces: Gene, Jimmy, John, Lori, Judi, the late Miles, Jr. Stevens, Jenny Steele, Amy Gabriella Bakos Dimitrakopoulos, Michael and Kristopher Bakos, Michelle Severson Garbarini and Erika Severson Grand, and their spouses, loved ones, children and many cousins.

 

Emily was born to Sophia and Eugene Kobylak on February 7, 1932, and along with her three sisters, Anna (Stevens), Genievive (Severson), and Joan (Bakos), lived and grew up in Chicago, Illinois, a city she loved and found delight in all that it offered. 

 

In 1952 she married the late Spiro Peter Kominos. In 1978 she married the late John Kapustka. Emily married Burt Nielson a retired Chicago Police Department detective in 1998.

 

In high school she was known as a great draftsperson and her teachers wanted her to pursue a career in medical illustration. Instead Emily used her creative talents to become a fashion consultant for the exclusive women’s store Charles A. Stevens and had an exciting career that was suited to her many talents. Her granddaughter, and daughter followed her example and work in the arts, Katie is a photographer, and Nicholette is a painter/educator married to sculptor Kristan Marvell. 

 

Emily also did a great deal of volunteer work for the senior citizen community and received an award from Mayor Richard Daly in 2002. 

 

Emily was a woman who not only had a generous spirit but also endeared herself to family and community with her verve and ability to speak her mind. We are very grateful to Emily for setting such a fine example on how to lead an adventurous life and most of all thankful for her gifts of love and courage.

 

There will be a private viewing at Olson Burke Sullivan Funeral Home on Thursday, May 2, 2019 from 3-4:30pm.

 

Nicholette and her family will have a Celebration of Life open house at the end of summer.