Peter J Nielson

Peter J. Nielson, age 87, passed away on July 24, 2015 at the Lakewood Health System in Staples, MN surrounded by the love of his family. Peter was born on November 30, 1927 in Alcester, South Dakota to parents Peter and Margaret Nielson. At the age of 5 they moved to Minnesota, where he grew up. Peter went to 51 District School until 8th grade. As a young man he worked in North Dakota as a farm hand until drafted for World War II. He never served because the war ended. He was drafted a second time in 1951 for the Korean War and served two years in the Grave Registration Unit. He received the Korean Service Medal with one bronze star, two over-seas bars, and a United Nations Service medal. He was honorable discharged as the rank of Corporal. Peter met Norma Jean Eckenrode and they were united in marriage on June 6, 1954 in the Nimrod Lutheran Church. They were blessed with 8 children, 3 boys and 5 girls. After they were married they worked as a farm couple in North Dakota for 8 years before moving back to Minnesota. They purchased the farm where they now reside in North Germany Township, where they farmed and milked cows until he and his wife Norma Jean started Nielson’s Greenhouse, which they ran for 28 years before retiring. Peter was no stranger to hard work, because he was raised during the depression he helped support his family doing many jobs; he was a roofer, logger, worked construction, handyman, road construction, and seed corn salesman, Peter enjoyed playing cards, horseshoeing, fishing, and having coffee with friends and family and the occasional trip to the casino. He loved when his children and grandchildren came home to visit. Peter served as treasurer of the Mid-Minnesota Beef Growers Association. Peter, Olaf, and their father, Peter Sr. helped build the Nimrod Lutheran Church, where Peter is an Elder of the church and served as Treasurer for many years. He loved hosting the horseshoe tournament during Nimrod Jubilee Days. He was preceded in death by his parents Peter and Margaret: 8 brothers: Ray, Fred, Carl, Ole, Wayne, Joe, Leo, Wan and 1 sister Christine. He will be missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 61 years, Norma Jean; children Lyle of Sebeka; Jeff (Lynn) of Elysian, MN; Gail (Bill) of Thief River Falls, MN; Roberta (Victor) of Sebeka, MN; Karen (Roman) of Staples, MN; Janice of Elk River, MN; Richard (Jane) of Ankeny, IA; and Sarah (Travis) of Sebeka, MN; 15 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren; and sisters Alvina Berg of Shoreview, MN and Leanna Gimler of Roseville, MN. Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 pm on Monday, July 27, 2015 at Wevley Funeral Home in Sebeka, MN. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at Nimrod Lutheran Church with Pastor Mark Hesse officiating. Interment will be at West Lyons Cemetery.