| Alan “Swede” R. Nielsen |

Alan “Swede” R. Nielsen, 93, of Boelus, passed away on Sunday, August 18, 2024 at Brookefield Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in St. Paul.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at Grace United Methodist Church in Boelus.

Pastor Kalaba Kapunda officiated.

Paul and Vickie Nielsen were the eulogists.

Musical selections included “On Eagle’s Wings,” “It is Well With My Soul,” “Fishing with the Old Man,” and “How Great Thou Art.”

Ivan Miller and Vicki Nielsen sang the first selection.

Pallbearers included Randy Nielsen, Nick Steele, Lance Steele, Drew Steele, Brock Nielsen, Jared Mauler, and Levi Syring.

Honorary Bearers included Jade Nielsen, Marcus Nielsen, Seth Sazama, Timmery Parr, Matt Nielsen, Scott Nielsen, Sam Nielsen, Annie Nielsen, Hillary Shiers, Abbie Mauler, Maggie Gannon, Becca Syring, and April Nielsen.

Interment followed at Westlawn Memorial Park in Grand Island.

Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date.

Jacobsen- Greenway- Dietz Funeral Home in St. Paul is assisting Swede’s family.

Alan was born on March 13, 1931, to Niels and Anna (Goltermann) Nielsen, in Grand Island. He attended school in Boelus and graduated with the Class of 1949. He received the nickname “Swede” at a very young age from his bus driver. He enjoyed competing in sports and excelled especially in baseball, basketball, and bowling. Swede was a self-employed construction contractor for many years.

Alan was united in marriage to Joan Thornton on November 22, 1951, Thanksgiving Day, in Boelus. They were members of Grace United Methodist Church in Boelus.

He was very instrumental and was one of the founding fathers of Centura Public School, where he served on the school board for twenty years. He also served on the Boelus School Board for ten years. Alan was a thirty-year member of the Boelus Volunteer Fire Department. His hobbies included playing cards, fishing, and hunting. His favorite pastime hangout was the Gold Nugget in Boelus.

Those left to cherish his memory include his sons and daughters-inlaw, Paul and Vickie Nielsen of Superior, Alan Ray and Shelly Nielsen of Boelus, and Donna Nielsen of St. Paul; daughters and sons-in-law, Sarah “Sally” Sazama and Dave Andrews of Shelton, Connie Steele of Grand Island, and Toni and Paul Bentz of St. Paul; grandchildren and spouses, Jade and Michelle Nielsen, Randy and Aimee Nielsen, Niels Matthew Nielsen, Scott Nielsen, Sam and Sasha Nielsen, Annie Nielsen and Adrian Rasmussen, Marcus and Tami Nielsen, Timmery and Joe Parr, Hillary and Tyler Shiers, Seth and Danielle Sazama, Abbie and Jared Mauler, Maggie and Chris Gannon, Nick and Brooke Steele, Andrew and Christina Steele, Lance and Lisa Steele, Brock and Deidre Nielsen, and Becca and Levi Syring; step-grandchildren, Michelle Heiberger, Joel Bentz, Lonnie Bentz, Brian Bentz, Shane Bentz, Mali Barber, Adam Barber, Josh Andrews, Matt Andrews, and Christina Baker; thirty-five great-grandchildren; thirty step-great-grandchildren; two greatgreat- grandchildren; two great-grandchildren on the way; and brotherin- law, Ken Dearing of Oklahoma.

Alan was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Joan Nielsen; son, Mark Nielsen; son-in-law, Willie Steele; and granddaughter, April Nielsen.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.jacobsengreenway. com

The Phonograph-Herald | August 28, 2024