Robert Ward Nielsen

Robert Ward Nielsen was born January 25, 1932, to Niels and Maren (Jessen) Nielsen in Meriden, Iowa. Bob graduated from Cherokee High School with the class of 1950.

After graduation, he enrolled into Buena Vista College, where he received a bachelor's degree, but not before serving in the United States Army for two years during the Korean War after being inducted on August 5, 1953. He received the national defense service medal and good conduct medal before his honorable discharge on June 14, 1955.

On August 28, 1955, Bob was united in marriage to Alice Anderson at Lakeside Presbyterian Church in Storm Lake. To this union, three children were born: Mark, Stephanie and Jennifer.

Bob started his career as a science teacher and coach for five years in Rolfe while completing his education with a master's degree from the University of Iowa. He and Alice moved to Westside in 1961 when he accepted the position of secondary principal at Ar-We-Va. In 1966, he was hired as superintendent, a position he kept for 30 years. His administrative career was dedicated to what was best for the Ar-We-Va community and its students.

Bob was active in many school organizations, including serving on the Iowa Athletic Association Board of Control from 1988-1996 and being active in the School Administrators of Iowa. Upon his retirement in 1996, he was awarded the Bernie Saggau Award of Merit, and he was recognized as one of the first inductees in the Ar-We-Va Wall of Fame when it was organized in 1999. After that honor, he served on the Wall of Fame selection committee until his passing.

Bob was an influential leader in the community. He was an elder and active member in the Presbyterian Church and later at the United Church Westside. He was also active in the Westside Economic Development Organization and he and Alice were instrumental in the fundraising for the Westside Community Endowed Fund. The Westside Legion honored him with one of their Quilts of Valor in December. He also was a member of the Westside Community Club and helped with the all-important job of being Santa's helper in the area for many years.

Bob loved his Westside home and he and Alice spent endless hours in the yard and garden, raising both vegetables and flowers. Their backyard was always their favorite spot, as they loved to watch the birds which made their home there all year long. They cherished visits with friends and relatives and especially with the youngsters from the neighborhood.

Bob enjoyed sports of all kinds. He loved fishing at locations near and far, and annual fishing trips to South Dakota and Minnesota were highlights for him over the years. He attended many sporting events in person throughout his lifetime, and was a faithful Ar-We-Va fan in his retirement. Friends made sure he was able to cheer on the football Rockets as recently as the fall of 2020. In the later years, the Nielsen TV was always tuned to a game, and he especially loved the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Green Bay Packers.

Bob passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 9, 2021, at his home in Westside, attaining the age of 88 years, 11 months and 15 days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings: Margaret Schwenn, Jens Nielsen and Golda Diehl.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 65 years, Alice Nielsen of Westside; children, Mark Nielsen and his wife Terri of Incline Village, Nev.; Stephanie and her husband John Johnsrud of Roseville, Calif.; and Jennifer and her husband Scot Shears of Valparaiso, Ind.; grandchildren, Taylor Nielsen and his wife Kayley, Courtney Garretson, Bradyn Nielsen and Allison Shears; great-grandchildren, Wyatt Garretson and Melina Nielsen; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Celebration of Life is 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 17, 2021 at the Ar-We-Va- Community School with visitation one hour prior to the service from 1:00-2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to St. Anthony Regional Cancer Center.