Edward William Nielsen Jr.

1924 - 2015

Edward William Nielsen Jr.

Edward William Nielsen, Jr. age 90, of Mitchell died Monday, July 20, 2015 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Monday, July 27, 2015 at First Lutheran Church. Visitation will be Sunday from 6 to 8 PM at the Will Funeral Chapel in Mitchell with a prayer service beginning at 7 PM. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery.

Edward William Nielsen, Jr was born in North Sanford, New York, September 15, 1924. He passed away peacefully in Sioux Falls, SD, on July 20, 2015 at the age of 90.

He grew up in Deposit, New York. He had fond memories of upstate New York and shared stories of camping with friends, riding his pony and spending time at the family owned lumberyard.

At the age of 13, his family moved to Aurora County, South Dakota where they started a life in agriculture and ranching. This would eventually become the life that he grew to know and love so well. He loved nature, the outdoors and the wide open spaces. He was a self-made man, never afraid to take a risk, never boastful, always humble and true to his word.

Edward married Velva Schmitz in White Lake, SD. They were married 62 years.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Velva, Sioux Falls, SD; his children, Allen, White River, SD; Harlan (Julie) and their son Drew, Sioux Falls, SD; Sharlene Stein (Mike) and their children, Sarah, Austin and Jenna, Hammond, OR; He is survived by two brothers, Robert Nielsen, Ethan, SD and Howard Nielsen (Norma), Brookings, SD; sisters-in-law, Thelma Dean Nielsen, Centerville, SD, and Janice Nielsen, West Plains, MO. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Allen, John and Irvin.