Nielsen, Marlin (1937 - 2014)

NIELSEN, CARTER, BARRY, PEARCE, WALKER

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 4/18/2014 at 13:28:17

Name of deceased: Marlin Alfred Nielsen

Aged: 76 yrs, 7 mo, 3 days

Residence: Henderson, NV, formerly of Defiance, IA

Born: Aug. 17, 1937, Defiance, IA

Died: March 20, 2014, St. Rose Dominican Hospital, Henderson, NV

Funeral services: March 28, 2014, Palm Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV

Survived by: wife, Nadine; daughter Kristi (spouse, Scott) Carter; 5 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; sisters, Ruthann (spouse, Milton) Barry and Marie (spouse, Clay) Pearce; nieces and nephews

Predeceased by: Parents, Alfred and Leta Nielsen;

Education: Marlin was athletic, loved sports and played basketball in high school and college, as well as performing in shows and musical productions. After graduating from Irwin (IA) High School, he attended Drake University with a music-athletic scholarship. He completed his bachelor’s degree in education at Wayne State College in Wayne, NE and later a Master’s degree from University of Nevada at Las Vegas.

Religious affiliation: no information provided

Military service: no information provided

Marriage: Nadine Walker; date and location not provided

Employment: While making a singing appearance he was discovered by Jan Garber, who immediately offered him a job singing with the famous Jan Garber orchestra. After a year with the band, he returned to Iowa to complete his education and to marry Nadine Walker, his high school sweetheart.

Marlin enjoyed two careers, one in education and one as a professional singer. His career in education began as a high school teacher and basketball coach in Klemme, Iowa. After 3 years, he rejoined the Garber band and moved with his wife, Nadine, and daughter, Kristi, to Las Vegas to perform at the Desert Inn Hotel there. When not at the Desert Inn, the band played in ballrooms and clubs throughout the country. Having made his reputation as a top entertainer with the Garber orchestra, he formed his own group and continued to entertain in the major hotels in Las Vegas.

Although he enjoyed "show business," and was a superb entertainer enjoyed by many, he was ready to return to education. He taught and coached basketball at Las Vegas High School, now the Academy of Technology and Performing Arts, and then went into administration and was appointed principal at Brown Middle School in Henderson, NV. Later he was assigned as principal at Garside Middle School in Las Vegas.

Hobbies/Interests: After he retired from education, he and Nadine moved to Sun City Anthem in Henderson and joined the very active Performing Arts Club. Once again he returned to the stage and performed in many of their productions sharing his wonderful voice and versatile entertaining style. He took joy in encouraging and supporting others to build their confidence and reach their highest potential. Marlin was an avid golfer, loved sports and fishing, especially in Alaska and Canada.

Sources: harlanonline.com; dignitymemorial.com