Robert Nielsen

Posted 5/15/03

Funeral services for Robert James Nielsen, 81, of Red Wing, will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 17 at St. Paulšs Lutheran Church, Red Wing, with the Rev. Jon Becker officiating.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel with a Legion prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Red Wing. Pallbearers will be Wade Mallon, Brian Walker, Troy Nystuen, Mike Dodge, Mike Mitchell and Randy Ratzlaff.

Robert died Thursday, May 8, 2003 at Fairview Seminary Home, Red Wing.

He was born May 3, 1922 in Maiden Rock, Wis., the son of Charles Viggo and Myrtle (Pearson) Nielsen. He attended schools near Maiden Rock and graduated in 1940 from Red Wing Central High School. Robert served in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean Conflict. He owned and operated a taxi service, then worked for Rahr Malting Company in Shakopee, retiring in 1982. Robert married Vivian Baez in Red Wing on May 30, 1990. He was a member of St. Paulšs Lutheran Church, Sons of Norway, Red Wing Area Senior Citizens and the Leo C. Peterson American Legion Post 54. Robert also trained horses at Canterbury Downs and enjoyed fishing.

Robert is survived by his wife, Vivian; one son, Robert Nielsen of Minneapolis; one daughter, Dyan Nielsen of New Prague; three step-children, James (Renee) Mallon of Red Wing, Patricia (Andy) Dodge of Farmington and Dean (Becky) M. Ellefson of Milaca; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one sister.