Jens Nielsen

JENS NIELSEN SEPT 21, 1926 - JUN 26, 2009 Jens Nielsen was born on September 21, 1926 on the small Danish island of Bornholm. He grew up there with his parents and sister, where his father operated his own lumber and sawmill business. On June 26, 2009, after a long illness, Jens passed away at home peacefully with his family at his side. After serving in the Danish army, Jens became an agriculture student specializing in poultry farming. In 1954, Jens came to America as an exchange student where he was sponsored by and worked for Amerine Farms in Oakdale. The next year he returned to Denmark and soon after met Karen Johannsen. Jens and Karen were married in Casablanca Morocco, and in 1959, moved to Oakdale to make it their permanent home. Jens returned to Amerine Farms and eventually became field manager of turkey production. Years later, Jens would build and operate his own turkey production ranch outside of Oakdale. He operated his ranch, N-B Farm, until his retirement in 2000. Jens was a lifetime member of the Oakdale Lions Club, where he served numerous positions, including club president for 1987-88. Jens enjoyed spending time reading, woodworking in his shop, and making the occasional trip back to his birthplace in Denmark. In the last few years of his life, Jens enjoyed relaxing on his backyard patio watching the golfers on the 11th fairway of the Oakdale Golf & Country Club. Jens is survived by his wife of 50 years, Karen; his two sons, Eric and Tom; daughter-in-law Elizabeth; and nephew Christian, who still lives on Bornholm. It was Jens's specific request that there be no furneral or memorial services, but rather a celebration of friends and memories to be held in September. www.modbee.com/obituaries