Jack Nielsen

Jack Nielsen (John David), March 10, 1939, to October 2, 2025 (86 years), was born at St. Joseph Hospital in Alliance, Nebraska to Jens Christian Nielsen and his wife Edna Gertrude Morehead. He graduated May 24, 1956, as Alliance High School Valedictorian and headed to the University of Nebraska, joining Delta Upsilon Fraternity. Jack participated in many activities at the University. On May 2, 1959, he was initiated into the Society of Innocents and from 1959-1960 he was President of the University of Nebraska Student Council. Jack received a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He then served time in the Army Reserves, spending six months stationed in El Paso, Texas working on the missile program.

After his time in the army reserves, Jack returned home to farm in Alliance and worked on the BN railroad in the winter. The Burlington Northern offered him a position in Lincoln, Nebraska as train master. While there, Jack joined IBM in 1966. In May of 1967, he met his wife Barbara, a graduate student at the University of Nebraska. They were married November 18, 1967. They had a daughter Chris in 1970 and moved to Chicago in 1972 with IBM. Barbara finished her doctoral thesis and their daughter Beth was born in 1973. In 1974 daughter Sara was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana where Jack was an IBM Marketing Manager.

Soon Jack and family were back in Kenilworth, Illinois with IBM where Jack decided his life goal was to return home to Alliance and farm. He started Diamond Hill Farms in Alliance, Nebraska in January 1977 and expanded locations to Wyoming, Colorado, and Texas while a chip grower for Frito Lay. In addition, he served on the board of Western Nebraska Savings Company, the Alliance Cooperative, and on the Potato Board.

In 2010, he bought Nebraska Northwestern Railroad in Chadron and later bought an investment property in Durango, Colorado. Still his heart was in Alliance, Nebraska. He loved Alliance and its people. He was proud of his life as a potato farmer.

Jack woke up the morning of October 2 with an aortic aneurism. The Alliance Police Department was quick to respond along with the Ambulance Services. The Emergency Department at Box Butte General was ready, efficient, and compassionate. Barbara can never say enough good things about the courtesy and concern of all who helped her.

Jack is leaving behind his wife, Barbara; his three daughters, Chris Collins (Michael Collins) of Alliance, Nebraska, Beth Cuevas of Frisco, Texas, and Sara Glinatsis of Monument, Colorado; his seven grandchildren, Cameron and Jack Collins, Avery, Brooks, and Victor Cuevas, and George and Marcus Glinatsis. His son-in-law Michael Collins, along with Michael's loving family have been an essential element of Alliance strength. Barbara and Jack would have been married 58 years this November 18, 2025. Jack will miss attending the wedding of his first grandson Cameron to Rachael Krinke this December.

Jack's family will be having a Celebration of Life Lunch and Memorial Service at West Side Event Center on November 1, 2025, beginning about 11:30 a.m. Barbara hopes to see many of the DHF farms past employees along with Jack and her friends there with memories of happy times. Please wear white to remember Jack as that was his favorite color. Please email barbara@allophone.com if you will be able to attend and talk with the family.

Memorials should be sent to Alliance Nebraska FFA Chapter, Alliance City Parks, Alliance School Foundation, or Alliance Library.