Raymond Norre Nielsen

Raymond Norre Nielsen, the son of Niels Peter and Henriette Fredricka Hansen Nielsen, was born March 11, 1914 at his parents’ home in Pottawatomie County near Underwood, Iowa and died April 8, 2012 at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 98 years, and 27 days. Raymond was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Boomer Township, Pottawattamie County, Iowa. He attended rural school in Boomer Township then helped operate the family farm. In the mid 1930’s he moved to Audubon County and later farmed in the Jacksonville, Iowa area and was employed as a farm hand. On September 1, 1937, he was united in marriage to Evelyn Karen Viola Jensen at the Ebenezer Lutheran Church west of Audubon, Iowa. Three children Shirley, Mary Ann, and Ronald were born to this union. Raymond continued to farm and then later owned and operated the Sharon Garage. He sold the business and rented a farm west of Audubon in Douglas Township. Evelyn died September 5, 1952. On November 5, 1955, he married Dorothy Delores Hess at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Two sons Paul and Robert were born to this union. In 1958, he purchased a farm south of Hamlin, Iowa. He grew row crops and raised livestock. Raymond especially enjoyed raising cattle. Besides farming Raymond also drove a school bus for the Audubon Community School District for many years. Dorothy died August 10, 2002. Raymond continued to live on and operate his farm with his sons and grandsons. In 2011 Raymond moved to the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa. Raymond was a member of the Hamlin Lutheran Church and served many terms on the Church Council. He was a charter member of the Atlantic Camp of The Gideon’s International. He served on the Salem Lutheran Home Board, was a director of rural school Douglas #8, he was an active member of the National Farmer’s Organization and was a charter member of the Hamlin Dart Ball League. He was a county trustee and a member of the Hamlin Cemetery Board. He was a State Champion corn picker and also competed at the National Competition in Colby, Kansas. Raymond treasured his relationship he had with his family and friends. Raymond was preceded in death by his wives: Evelyn Nielsen and Dorothy Nielsen; his daughter Mary Ann Miller; his grandson Todd E. Nielsen; his parents; his infant brother; his sister Martha and her husband Sherman Peterson; and his brother-in-law Victor Lyngaard. Survivors include his children: Shirley and husband Vernon Meyer of Springfield, Missouri; Ronald and wife Donna Nielsen of Hamlin, Iowa; Paul and wife Michele Nielsen of Hamlin; Robert and wife Kristie Nielsen of Hamlin; his son-in-law Mark and wife Cindy Miller of Audubon, Iowa; his grandchildren: Rich and wife Cari Meyer of Phoenix, Arizona; Linda and husband Tom Schattgen of Lonedell, Missouri; Dave and wife Ginger Meyer of Jefferson City, Missouri; Jana and husband Brent Knights of Melrose, Wisconsin; Rod and wife Theresa Miller of Olathe, Kansas; Mike and wife Linda Miller of Grimes, Iowa; Josh and wife Nicki Klever of Audubon; Mark and wife Rachael Miller of Grimes; Jody and husband Doyle Stern of Boone, Iowa; his granddaughter-in-law Melanie and husband Randy Larsen of Audubon, Dane Nielsen, Alexis Nielsen, Dylan Nielsen, and Derek Nielsen, Taylor Nielsen, Cooper Nielsen and Mattie Nielsen all of Hamlin; 24 great grandchildren; his sister and brother: Anita Lyngaard of Eugene, Oregon; Kent and wife Una Mae Nielsen of Council Bluffs, Iowa; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Ruby and husband Harry Rasmussen of Audubon; Kenneth and wife Rosemary Hess of Audubon; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Hamlin Lutheran Cemetery east of Hamlin.

Visitation:
The family will meet friends Wednesday evening at 6:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Thursday, April 12, 2012, at 10:30 A.M. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa.