Robert Nielsen

Funeral services for Robert E. Nielsen, age 90, of Albert Lea, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home. Pastor Kent Otterman will officiate. Private burial will be at East Freeborn Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the Freeborn County Servicemen's Organization. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. Thursday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Robert died peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, at the Good Samaritan Center.

Robert Emmanuel Nielsen was born on June 19, 1927, in Fairmont, Minn., the son of Holger and Katherine (Lorenzen) Nielsen. He had five brothers and three sisters and grew up in Albert Lea. Bob was a WWII veteran, serving in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1946. He was so happy to take an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., in 2011. Bob was united in marriage to Donna Mae Miller on Dec. 5, 1948, in Titonka, Iowa. They raised their three sons in Albert Lea. Bob rarely missed a Minnesota Twins, Gophers, or Vikings game on TV or radio. He even made it to the new Gopher Stadium recently for a football game with his sons. Bob worked at Queen Stove in Albert Lea for 43 years. He enjoyed spending time with his family, and holiday gatherings were especially important to him. He was so happy to have his Denmark cousins visit this past spring and summer to celebrate his 90th birthday.

Bob was a longtime member of the Albert Lea Odd Fellows and the Golden K Kiwanis Club and a member of the American Legion. He especially enjoyed these last two years at Bancroft Creek Estates making many new friends. The family appreciates the care and concern of the residents and staff there and the Rehab Wing of Good Samaritan. Bob's faith and belief in Jesus was very important in his life. He was a longtime member of the Albert Lea United Methodist Church.

Bob is survived by his wife of nearly 69 years, Donna; sister, Virginia Friskus, Iowa Falls; sons, John (Sue), of Albert Lea, Jim (Sue), of Rochester, and Jerry (Trudy), of Mankato; six grandchildren, Luke (Katie), Matt (Jess), Tosha, Jennifer, Nate (Erin) and Brooke (Nick); 14 great-grandchildren, Alex, Lindsey, Sadie, Skylar, Addie, Nevaeh, Louis, Lilly, Isaac, Nova, Avery, Brynn, Bree and Briggs; many cousins, including some in Denmark; nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, mother and father-in-law, five brothers and two sisters.

Blessed be his memory.