Rev. LeVern S. Nielsen

Reverend LeVern S. Nielsen RACINE – Rev. LeVern S. Nielsen, 85, passed away at his residence on Sunday October 14, 2012. LeVern was born in Luck, Wisconsin on May 26, 1927, the son of the late Rev. Niels Peter and Maren C. (nee: Olsen) Nielsen. LeVern attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for two years. He was drafted into the United States Army, serving during the Korean Conflict. Returning home he attended Dana College in Blair, Nebraska, where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree. Continuing on the Dana College campus, LeVern enrolled in the Trinity Seminary. After completing two years there, he came to Racine, where he served his internship for a year at Gethsemane Lutheran Church. Then to complete his Masters of Divinity Degree he attended Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. In June of 1958 he was ordained as a Lutheran Minister in Blair, Nebraska. He was united in marriage to Marilyn Y. Holm on February 9, 1957 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Racine. LeVern served as Pastor at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Sioux City, Iowa from 1958-1963; Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Stoughton, Wisconsin from 1963-1974; Covenant Lutheran Church, Stoughton, Wisconsin from 1974-1977; Orfordville Lutheran Church, Orfordville, Wisconsin from 1977-1987; Chaplin at Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa from 1987-1991. LeVern was a member and past president of Rotary in Stoughton and chairman of the Bicentennial Committee in 1976. In addition, he was a member and volunteer at the Danish Immigrant Museum in Elk Horn, Iowa and the Danish American Archives and Library in Blair, Nebraska. Returning to Racine in 1998, LeVern was a member of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection. He also was a volunteer for Lincoln Lutheran, Habitat for Humanity, and a Greeter for the Blood Center of Wisconsin. He enjoyed singing, reading, traveling and American History. Surviving is his wife, of 55 years, Marilyn and their children: Karen Nielsen of Racine, Rev. Erik (Mary) Nielsen of Vienna, WV, Lisa Nielsen of St. Marys, GA and Ruth (Dale) Mortensen of North Olmsted, OH; grandchildren, Christian Levin-Nielsen, Abraham Levin-Nielsen, Kiernan Levin-Nielsen, Emma Levin-Nielsen, Signe Mortensen and Luke Mortensen; Great grandsons Joshua Levin-Nielsen and Jakob Levin-Nielsen. He is further survived by sisters-in-law, Elva Nielsen of Cedar Falls, IA, Phyllis Nielsen of Yankton, SD, Betty Nielsen of Edina, MN; brothers-in-law Charles Doidge of Eden Prairie, MN and Harold (Grace) Holm II of Racine; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. LeVern was preceded in death by his sisters and brothers, Dagmar (Keith) Knudsen, Rudolph Nielsen, Lydia (Otto) Stave, Lela (Paul) Neve, Adolph Nielsen, Merl Dean Nielsen, Carl Nielsen and Vera Mae Doidge and sister-in-law Nancy (Harold) Amland. Funeral services will be held at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 322 Ohio Street, Racine, on Friday October 19, 2012 at 1 p.m. Visitation will be held at Sturino Funeral Home on Thursday from 4 until 7 p.m. and at church on Friday from 12 noon until 12:45 p.m. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to remember LeVern in a special way, please direct memorials to Danish American Archives and Library, 1738 Washington Street, Blair, NE 68008 or Danish Immigrant Museum, 2212 Washington St. Elk Horn, Iowa, 51531.

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Rev. LeVern S. Nielsen

May 26, 1927 - October 14, 2012