Richard Lee Nielsen

Richard Lee Nielsen passed away February 5, 2024. He was a son, brother, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He went by many names, Duke to friends and family, dad to his only child, and once he became a grandfather “Papa” to us all. 

He was a lifelong learner, a writer, a coach and mentor, a teacher, an adventurist. He graduated with a degree in forestry from Iowa State and could name every tree and plant in the forest. He loved being the patriarch of 4 generations and often toasted that milestone at family dinners at which he would declare “this is the best dinner I have ever had”! He could “cut a rug” with anyone but especially his bride Jeanie. He was a storyteller and even though he told his stories time after time his family loved hearing them. He loved ice cream! He left a legacy behind of kindness that we will work hard to carry on.

Duke is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Jean Nielsen, daughter Shann and her husband Jeff, 4 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, and his sister Darlene Fuerhing. He was proceeded in death by his parents Bessie and Laurence Nielsen, his brothers, Eugene, and Harry Nielsen.

At this time no memorial service has been planned.