Nielsen, Doyle Donavon 1925-2009

NIELSEN, ORR, WOODS

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 7/7/2009 at 12:54:09

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, July 7, 2009

Doyle D. Nielsen, 84, of Le Mars, died Sunday, July 5, 2009, at Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars.

Doyle Donavon Nielsen was born Jan. 21, 1925, at Maskell, Neb., to Raymond and Gladys (Orr) Nielsen. Doyle graduated from high school in Nebraska. He served his country during World War II in the United States Navy, entering on June 30, 1943. Doyle served on the U.S.S. Colorado stationed in the South Pacific where he was critically wounded and received two Purple Hearts. Upon his honorable discharge on Nov. 13, 1945, Doyle returned to Nebraska.

Doyle was united in marriage to Dorathe Woods Oct. 16, 1948, in South Sioux City, Neb. Doyle and Dorathe first lived in Omaha, Neb., where he worked as a dispatcher for the Nebraska Highway Patrol. The couple later moved to Le Mars in 1958 when Doyle began working as a claims adjuster for Le Mars Mutual Insurance Company. In 1974, Doyle became a partner with the Morgan-Nielsen Insurance Agency. Doyle retired from the insurance agency in 1985.

Doyle and Dorathe enjoyed spending summers at their cabin on Rainy Lake, near International Falls, Minn., and spending winters at South Padre Islands, Texas. Doyle and Dorathe enjoyed traveling and spending time with family.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Dorathe of Le Mars; three children, Robin Grosenheider and her husband Dave of Le Mars, Scott Nielsen and his wife Chris of Remsen, and Holly Schapiro and her husband Dave of Tampa, Fla.; five grandchildren, Jill Grosenheider of Columbus, Ohio, Justin Nielsen of West Des Moines, Christopher Nielsen of Remsen, and Emily and Amanda Schapiro of Tampa, Fla.; four sisters: Daryle Benson of Norfolk, Neb., Darlene Burton of Yakima, Wash., Marilyn Newman and her husband Earl of Primghar, and Janice White and her husband Ray of Palmyra, Va.; and several nieces and nephews.

Doyle was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Gladys (Orr) Nielsen; a sister, Yvonne Olsen; two nephews and three brothers-in-law.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. John's Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A. in Le Mars with the Rev. Greg Gabriel officiating. Interment will be at Memorial Cemetery, Le Mars with graveside military honors provided by the Wasmer American Legion Post #241 of Le Mars and the Remsen V.F.W. Post #3328. Visitations will be after 3 p.m. today (Tuesday) at the Carlsen Funeral Home with the family present to greet friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Visitation will continue Wednesday morning at the church from 9:30 a.m. until service time.

Pallbearers will be Justin Nielsen, Christopher Nielsen, Mark Britton, Ron Stopak, Joe Grosenheider, and Tim Loutsch. Honorary casket bearers will be Larry Schmitz, Rich Frericks, Joe Cosgrove, and Jack Collins.