Jeff Nielsen

A Funeral Service for Jeff Nielsen, age 66, of Arnolds Park will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 10:00am at First Lutheran Church in West Okoboji. Interment will be at Okoboji Cemetery. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 5:00-7:00pm at the Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford.

Jeffrey Allen Nielsen, 66, passed away on November 8, 2025 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls after a brief battle with cancer. He was surrounded by the people he loved most. Jeff was born on June 12, 1959 in Costa Mesa, CA to Gerald and Bonnie (Mick) Nielsen. He spent much of his childhood moving throughout the western United States (California, New Mexico, Washington, Wyoming) and Cedar Rapids due to his dad’s job at Bechtel Corporation. However, their family spent many summers and vacations in Okoboji on the farm where his grandparents (Elmer and Olga (Gustafson) Nielsen) lived. Stories from those weeks in Okoboji often came up in conversations with Jeff, especially since they are what kickstarted his lifelong love of fishing. In 1977, Jeff graduated from Kamiakin High School in Kennewick, WA, after which he attended Washington State University for a year.

Throughout the 1980s, Jeff managed motels owned by his parents in Council Bluffs (The Starlite) and in Humboldt (The Beacon). He also earned a degree from Iowa Lakes Community College in Hotel/Motel/Restaurant Management during this time. More importantly, this decade was when he met Jane, and the two were married on June 3rd, 1989. Marrying Jane not only gave him the title of husband, which he cherished, but it also meant he took on the role of step-father to her 3 children, Carrie, Nathan, and Grant. He dove right in and loved them as his own.

Due to Jane’s work, the family lived in Carroll while Jeff worked at Farner Bocken and commuted to Iowa State University, earning a degree in Transportation & Logistics in 1992. Jeff then worked in operations and sales at Computer Transportation Services (later called MoveIt) from 1992 until his passing. Their time in Carroll also included welcoming 2 more children into the family, Mark and Laura. Jeff continued the tradition of vacations in Okoboji with his family, and all 5 of his children grew up with memories of fishing, boating, and summers at the lake with their dad.

In 2011, they moved to Arnolds Park, settling on property from the family farm that Jeff’s great-grandparents bought on East Okoboji in 1907. While Jeff lived in many places and states, Okoboji was always home, and he was grateful for the final years he got to live on the lake.

Some of Jeff’s favorites were jamming to rock & roll, crossword puzzles, crocs, and mashed potatoes & gravy. His hot tub was a way he carved out quality time with his children and grandchildren as it provided many nights of meaningful conversation.

He also valued giving back to his community, whether it was by coaching and being involved with his kids’ activities, serving on the school board, treasurer at church, or board of directors for the Dickinson County Taxpayers Association. However, Jeff’s favorite way to spend time with everyone, be it with his family or friends, was fishing. He took many trips to Canada, South Dakota, and Minnesota, living off of shore lunches and jello jigglers, and always fishing for the catch of his life. He would, of course, tell you that he snagged the catch of his life when he met Jane.

Jeff was a straight-talker, never one to shy away from a difficult conversation. He was also fiercely loyal to those he loved, and had a special way of telling stories that drew in anyone within listening range. Those stories are his legacy and will keep him close to his loved ones’ hearts for years to come.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Jane (Benjamin) of 36 years; children, Carrie (Paul) Seberger of Marshalltown, Nathan (Pam) Etherington of Polk City, Grant (Kristin) Etherington of Ankeny, Mark (Mary Kate) Nielsen of Davenport, and Laura Nielsen of Des Moines; 15 grandchildren; brother, Randy (Kathy); sister, Vicki (Gene) Stevens; as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Bonnie Nielsen; parents-in-law, Roger and Marian Benjamin; and brother-in-law, Danny Benjamin.