Francis L. Nielsen

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
FRANCIS L. NIELSEN

BORN
July 21, 1937
Remsen, Iowa

PASSED AWAY
February 22, 2017
Sheldon, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE
10:30 A.M. Monday, February 27, 2017
United Methodist Church; Sheldon, Iowa
Rev. Kevin Gingerich Officiating

Visitation with the family present will be from
3:00 5:00pm on Sunday, February 26, 2017
at Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon, Iowa

MUSIC
On Eagles Wings
In The Garden
Sung by: Carl Nielsen
C.D. Knowing What I Know About Heaven
by: Guy Penrod

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN
The Old Rugged Cross
Organist: Janus Martin

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
Prairie Queen Kiwanis Members

CASKET BEARERS
Shane McCarty Drew McCarty
Kayla Nielsen Alexis Nielsen
Dave Poppema Darwin Poppema

FINAL RESTING PLACE
East Lawn Cemetery
Sheldon, Iowa

After the graveside service relatives and friends are invited to
join the family in the fellowship hall of the church

Arrangements under the care of the
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon, Iowa

FRANCIS L. NIELSEN
Francis Leland Nielsen, the son of Leland and Emma (Doerr) Nielsen was born July 21, 1937 on a farm in the Remsen, Iowa area. He attended country school. After his schooling, he worked as a farm hand in the Cherokee County area. Francis had been a member of the National Guard both in Cherokee and Sheldon. On February 14, 1961, he was united in marriage to Marlys Kleeman at the United Methodist Church in Sheldon, Iowa. After their marriage the couple settled in Sheldon where he was employed by John Buysman Trucking until beginning employment with the City of Sheldon and worked until his retirement in 2003. His wife preceded him in death on June 22, 2003. Francis remained in Sheldon and was active in the community. He passed away at his home on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 reaching the age of 79 years, 7 months and 1 day.
He was a member of the Sheldon United Methodist Church, where he had served as an usher and a member of the Circuit Riders. He had been past president of the Sheldon Eagles Club, a member of Prairie Queen Kiwanis, Sheldon Garden Club and been a Scout Leader for troop # 155 of Sheldon. He enjoyed woodworking, and he and Marlys made jewelry and attended many arts and crafts shows.
Francis leaves to cherish his memory one son, Kevin and his wife, Brenda Nielsen of Woodbury, Minnesota and their daughters, Kayla Nielsen of St. Louis Park, Minnesota and Alexis Nielsen of Woodbury, Minnesota; a daughter, Kathy and her husband, Dean McCarty of LeMars, Iowa and their children, Shane McCarty and fianc, Ashley Schilmoeller of Clive, Iowa; and Drew and his wife, Bri McCarty and their daughter, Finnleigh of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Special friend, Eleanor Poppema and her family of Sheldon, Iowa; two brothers, Tarris and his wife, Judy Nielsen of Marcus, Iowa and Carl and his wife, Connie Nielsen of Cherokee, Iowa; also nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marlys and his parents, Leland and Emma Nielsen.