NIELSEN, Earl

NIELSEN, LARSEN, DAILEY, MENEFEE, STOAKES, LUNDY, CALVERT

Posted By: Lynette Edsall (email)
Date: 9/13/2006 at 14:24:52

Earl Nielsen

AURELIA, Iowa -- Earl Nielsen, 88, of Cherokee, Iowa, formerly of Aurelia, died Friday, Dec. 31, 2004, at Countryside Estates Nursing Home in Cherokee.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Congregational Church in Aurelia, with the Rev. Bruce Rapp officiating. Redig Funeral Home in Aurelia is in charge of arrangements.

Earl Nielsen was born on April 26, 1916, the son of Jens and Kirstina (Larsen) Nielsen at Paullina, Iowa.

On Nov. 11, 1942, Earl married Joy Dailey at her parents' home south of Aurelia. Earl served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945 on the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier. Following his discharge, he farmed until 1961. In that year, the family moved into Aurelia, and Earl began operating N & N Repair Service. For 27 years, he repaired cars, tractors, appliances, small engines and refrigeration equipment. Even after retirement in 1988, he continued to work on vehicles and numerous small engines and appliances.

He was a member of the Aurelia Fire Department from 1962 to 1974. He served as assistant chief in 1964 and 1965 and served as chief from December 1966 to January 1969. He loved hitching his fifth wheel to the pickup and traveling throughout the country. Together, he and Joy visited each of the lower 48 states. Earl also enjoyed his model train collection, watching the Chicago Cubs and, most importantly, spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Joy, of Cherokee; a son, Jim and his wife, LuAnn Nielsen of Grainger, Iowa; two daughters, Joan and her husband, Craig Menefee of Boone, Iowa and Patricia Nielsen and her husband, Roger Stoakes of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; two grandchildren, Carrie and her husband, Erik Lundy of Des Moines and Jeff Calvert of Washington; two great-grandchildren, Josie and Megan Lundy; and other relatives and friends. Earl was a beloved husband, father and grandfather as well as a friend to many.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son; and a brother, Niels Nielsen.

A memorial fund has been established in his name.