Elliott R. Nielsen

Elliott Raymond Nielsen, of Minden passed away on Monday, November 14, 2022 at Kearney County Health Services in Minden, at the age of 83 years, 7 months, and 5 days. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Minden with the Rev. Donald Hunzeker and PMA Julie Schmidt officiating. The service will be streamed to the funeral home’s Facebook page. Interment will be held following the service at the Fredericksburg Lutheran Cemetery south of Minden. Memorial book signing with family present will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 18, 2022 at Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Memorials in Elliott’s honor are kindly suggested to the family for later designation. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Elliott was born April 9, 1939 in Minden, Nebraska to Emerald and Olga (Petersen) Nielsen. He was the youngest of three children born to Emerald and Olga. He grew up on a farm in rural Minden, Nebraska and graduated from Minden High School in 1957. Elliott received his Music degree and Teaching Certificate at Dana College in Blair, Nebraska. He student taught at Westside High School as part of his teaching degree. Elliott was married to Juane (Skow) Nielsen August 6, 1961, at Rutland Trinity Church in Rutland, Iowa. To this union were born three children: Deanna Jean, David Jon, and Denise Juane. Elliott and Juane farmed south of Minden on the family farm with Elliott’s father Emerald. Elliott passed on what he had learned about running the farm with his son David, and to his grandsons Anson and Austin. Elliott & Juane were active members of Fredericksburg Lutheran Church where Elliott directed and sang with the choir for many years. He sang at countless weddings, funerals, community choirs and always enjoyed a performance by the children. One of Elliott’s greatest joys was his family and he cherished the time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Elliott was preceded in death by his wife Juane; his parents; sister, Kathleen Leistad of Elk Horn Iowa; and stepchildren, Dee and Brian Isaacson. Elliott married Judy (Kahrs) Meyer December 3, 2011, at Fredericksburg Lutheran Church, and they made their home on the family farm and continued operations. After retiring from the farming operations, Elliott and Judy enjoyed travelling and spending time with family. Surviving him are Elliott and Juane’s children: Deanna (Steve) Appel of Blair; David Nielsen of Minden; and Denise (Jim) Houston of Elkhorn; his sister Delores Ingram of Minden; his wife Judy Nielsen of Minden, and step-son Rick Meyer of Osborne, Kansas. Also surviving him are nine grandchildren: Marissa, Dane, Anissa, Anson, Austin, Amy, Sarah, Mandy, and Wyatt; eleven great-grandchildren: Emma, Lili, Ashtain, Alizabeth, Aaron, Annie, Ayva, Asher, Taislee, Raylee, and Crew; as well as a host of extended relatives and close friends. Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com.

Elliott R. Nielsen

April 9, 1939 - November 14, 2022