Rolland L. Nielson

Aberdeen: The memorial service for Rolland L. Nielson, 79, of Aberdeen will be 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010, at Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory in Aberdeen. Pastor Dave Biebighauser of First United Methodist Church will officiate.

Rolland's wishes were to be cremated, and burial of his cremated remains will be at Cloverleaf Cemetery in Willmar, Minn., at a later date. Presentation of the flag will be by the Sidney L. Smith American Legion Post No. 24 of Aberdeen. A time of fellowship and luncheon will follow the service at Schriver's Memorial Fellowship Center.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the mortuary.

Friends may sign his online guest book at www.schriversmemorial

.com.

Rolland passed away Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010, at ManorCare Health Services.

Rolland L. Nielson was born June 11, 1931, on the east shore of Lake Lillian, Minn., on land homesteaded by his great-grandfather, J.A.J. Bomsta, and grandfather, Dr. Andrew Nielson. His parents were Guy and Ester (Johnson) Nielson. At a young age, he moved with is parents to Atwater, Minn., where he was enrolled in the elementary grades. The family moved to rural New London, Minn., area, where he went to country school and graduated from New London High School with the class of 1949. He was a four-year letterman in football, basketball and baseball.

Rolland entered the U.S. Air Force and served during the Korean War. While in the service, Rolland married Colleen Mohr on March 29, 1952, in Biloxi, Miss. He received his honorable discharge in March 1954. He continued with his education, attending St. Cloud State University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1958. He became a high school teacher in Sauk Centre, Minn., where he taught social studies and math for a short time.

He later entered federal service with the U.S. Civil Service Commission as a management intern. He worked in the 12th regional office in St. Louis, Mo., until he transferred to U.S. Public Health Service office in Aberdeen. Rolland worked in both the BIA Area Office and the Indian Health Area Office. He retired from U.S. Public Health Service as the director of human resources.

While in Aberdeen, Rolland was active in his church and community activities. He and his wife, Colleen, enjoyed bowling, card playing, and ballroom dancing, and he also enjoyed hunting and fishing. After his retirement, they moved to Mesa, Ariz. He was employed at the General Motors desert proving ground as a certified test driver. They later moved back to Minnesota and subsequently returned to Aberdeen to be closer to their children. He enjoyed his life; his wife, Colleen; his children; grandchildren and all his family - and to all his enduring love.

Surviving Rolland are his wife, Colleen, of Aberdeen; three sons: Mitch (Kristy) Nielson of Rock Springs, Wyo., Mike (Ying) Nielson of Aberdeen and Greg (Shelly) Nielson of Aberdeen; five grandchildren: Michelle Schuler, Jordan Nielson, Eric Nielson, Danielle Brown and Naomi Ward; three great-grandchildren: Timmy Shuler, Jeremy Shuler and Mahaley Shuler; and one brother, Glenis (Betty) Nielson of St. Paul, Minn.

Rolland was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Allen, Merle and Ellwood Nielson; two sisters: Genevive Anderson and Efflin Kasteldahl; and one sister in infancy, Lorraine Nielson.

This obituary was originally published in the Aberdeen American News.