Nelsen, Norman (1935 - 2016)

NELSEN, DILLE, KOCH, ARNOLD, CUNNINGHAM, CARLSON

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 4/29/2016 at 15:19:03

Name of deceased: Norman Dale Nelsen

Aged: 80 yrs, 4 mo, 11 days

Residence: Avoca Specialty Care, Avoca, IA (since Aug. 2012)

Born: Nov. 29, 1935; rural Minden, IA

Died: April 9, 2016, at Avoca Specialty Care, Avoca, IA

Funeral services: Wednesday, April 13, 2016; Immanuel Lutheran Church, Harlan, IA; burial was in the Harlan Cemetery, Harlan, IA

Survived by: Wife of 39 years, Sandra Nelsen of Harlan, IA; son, Mark Nelsen of Woodland Park, CO; daughters, Joni (spouse, Clay) Dille of Woodland Park, CO, and Christina (spouse, Adam) Koch of Omaha, NE; brother, Melvin Nelsen of Shelby, IA; sister, Darlene Arnold of Cridersville, OH; grandchildren, Brandy Nelsen, Alyssa Koch, and Joel Koch; other relatives and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Harvey and Pearl Irene (nee Cunningham) Nelsen; granddaughter, Anna Dille; sister-in-law, Myrna Nelsen; brother-in-law, Wayne Arnold

Education: attended Shelby (IA) schools and graduated from Shelby High School, Class of 1954

Religious affiliation: member, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Harlan, IA; had previously served on the Church Council

Military service: U. S. Army, June 1954 through June 1956

Marriage: Sandra Sue Carlson; June 1, 1976; Harlan, IA

Employment: After his military service, he was employed at various jobs, including working for the Harlan (IA) Post Office for 14 years. In 1985, he opened Norm’s Cabinets and TVs in Harlan, and continued running this business until his retirement in 1998.

Hobbies/Interests: He was an active member of the Helmer-Reyelt American Legion Post #150, and had served on the Veterans Memorial Auditorium Commission. A past-president of the Jr. Chamber of Commerce, Norm was also a member of the Lion’s Club and Kiwanis Club, as well as a lifetime member of the Shelby County Historical Society. Norm established the Nishna Valley Antique Tractor Club, and organized antique tractor shows at the Shelby County Fair for many years. He greatly enjoyed taking his prized restored John Deere 1935 B tractor to area shows and driving it in parades. Norm enjoyed fishing trips to Canada with friends, and traveling with family. He took a special trip to Denmark with his father and other family members to meet relatives and see where his father grew up. Woodworking became a hobby after retirement.

Sources: harlanonline.com; kjan.com; burmeisterjohannsen.com