William Wayne "Bill" Nielsen, 87, of Dike, Iowa passed away on July 5, 2014 at the Lake Regional Health System in Osage Beach, Missouri. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at the Fredsville Lutheran Church in rural Cedar Falls, Iowa. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at the Dike Chapel 680 Main Street, Dike, IA. Memorials may be directed to the Fredsville Lutheran Church.
Bill was born on December 28, 1926 in Dike, Iowa to his parents Carl and Anna Nielsen. He was raised and educated in Dike, graduating from Dike High School in the Class of 1944. Bill served his country from 1944 until 1946 in the United States Army. He then went to Grandview College for 2 years and transferred to Buena Vista University where he earned his bachelor's degree in education. Bill then went on to earn his masters degree in education from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion.
Bill began his career teaching at the Everly High School in Everly, Iowa. He then went on to become the superintendent of the Ayrshire School District and then the Parkersburg School District until 1974. He then moved to Moravia, Iowa and served as the superintendent of the Moravia School District for 18 years until his retirement in 1992. Upon his retirement he returned to farming in Dike, Iowa.
Bill was united in marriage to Beverly Turnquist in Albert City, Iowa in 1952. Together they welcomed two sons into their family. He was a lifelong member of the Fredsville Lutheran Church, a member of the Dike American Legion Post # 471 and the Dike Masonic Lodge # 646. However, his true joy in life came from spending time with his family especially his grandchildren.
Bill is survived by his wife Beverly, of Dike, IA; sons Steven (Linda) Nielsen of Dike, IA and Robert (Alta) Nielsen of Linn Creek, MO; grandchildren Paul, Karl, Krissy, Eric and Harrison Nielsen and great-granddaughter Hayden Nielsen; brother Harlan Nielsen of Dike, IA and sister Joyce Goetzinger of Dike, IA and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 sisters.