Sean Alan Nielsen
November 10, 2013
Sean Alan Nielsen, 34, of West Des Moines, Iowa went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on November 10, 2013.
He will always be remembered for his beautifully contagious smile, his joy in living, unconditional love and his never-ending faith in God.
He was born February 24, 1979 in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from Valley High School in West Des Moines, Iowa in 1999 and worked at Super Target in Urbandale since it opened in July 2000.
He was most passionate about God, family, friends and his independence. He loved all kinds of music (Garth Brooks and George Strait were his favorites), Iowa Regular Baptist Bible Camp (that brought him more joy than anyone can imagine), Bowling, Special Olympics (where he was a gold medal winner in the 50 meter dash and the Turbo-Jav throw), Karaoke, Candeo (that gave him the independence he craved his whole life) BUT most of all he worked his whole life to make people smile and to always feel loved and accepted.
Sean was an active member of LivingWaters Fellowship where he found love and acceptance beyond his wildest dreams and led numerous people to know our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sean is survived by his mom and dad, William and Marlys McKibben; grandparents, Leona and Harold Nielsen, JoAnn and Barry McKibben; Chip, Maria, Mia, Trey, Cole and Blaise Wittern (the second mom, dad, brothers and sister in his life); Jacob, Kathy, Kaylor and Khloe Johnson (the baby brother and "aunt" he always wanted), Rigo, Heather, Victoria and Noah Martinez (the best friends in the world); uncles and aunts: Barry Lee and Sheri McKibben, Ted and Marsha Hanson, Danny and Reva Gartin, Steve Gartin, Terry and Rosalie Nielsen, Darrel and Linda Nielsen; great-aunt, Francis Enyart; family friend, Daphne Hayes; father and step-mother, Steven and Yvonne Nielsen; numerous step-brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins. Know that he loved you all very much.
Sean was preceded in death by: Katherine Marie Nielsen (sister), Mayetta Grabin (great-grandmother), Ted Miller (great-grandfather), Marilyn Sue Butler (grandmother), Lewis Dean Gartin (grandfather).
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Iowa Regular Baptist Bible Special Camp or Candeo. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
A celebration of life will be held Wednesday, November 13, 2013 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. with services on Thursday, November 14th at 10:00 a.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa.
Matt Glenn
11/12/2013
Sean,
You were such a friendly young man glad I got to know you over the years at Valley,you will be missed by everyone,someday we will all meet up again.
Remember your in great hands and know that you will be watching down on all of us,including your family...
REST IN PEACE......
Shea Evans
11/12/2013
I work at Wells Fargo, with Marlys. I didn't know Sean, but I do have a son and can imagine the profound saddness you must be feeling. I'm very sorry for your loss and pray that God will comfort and heal you and will be with Sean's spirit.
Annie Shelton
11/12/2013
Seaners... your SMILE... your energy...your kindness will forever live on in all the memories I have of you. You truly were a gift to this world...not one bad thing ever could be said about you. You loved, laughed and enjoyed life. We all loved you just as you are! Thank you Marlys and Bill for raising such a gentle soul. He was so blessed to have you as parents! I am thankful for your entire family and want you to know how loved you all are as well. God bless you and give you comfort that he has Seaners in heaven with him and will be the first to greet you at the gates! xoxo
David Mohler
11/12/2013
I did not know Sean for very long, and I only spoke with him in passing, but the impact he had on my life has been profound. I worked at IRBC during the summer of '11 and it was during Special Camp that summer that God used Sean to transform my perspective of people. Unfortunately I came into that week wondering how God could work in and through the intellectually handicapped. I foolishly wondered if they could understand God's love or comprehend salvation. I had so much to learn. Not only did I discover that week that Sean understood the love of God, but that he was a far better communicator of God's love than myself and most people I know. I read Galatians 5:22 which says
,"the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."
When I began to look at people and the fruits they bore in this light, I realized that Sean was a phenomenal example of what an exemplary Christian should look like. He was kind, sensitive, joyful, and loved everyone regardless of how they treated him. While I only interacted with Sean a few times, I will forever be grateful for the lessons he taught me and the impact he had on my life.
Katie Avise
11/12/2013
Seaner, I can't begin to tell you the impact you made on my life and so many others. I will never forget your infectious smile, your school pride and your faith in God and in ALL people. You have been such an inspiration to me and I will forever miss you. Marlys and Bill, my prayers and thoughts are with you during this time. Love you Seaner!!!
Allison Oxley Gister
11/12/2013
Seaner, you will be so missed by everyone who knew and loved you. To Marlys and Bill - your son was an absolute treasure, and I will always treasure my memories with him. My thoughts and deepest condolences are with you and your family.
Lanaya Goeden -RECOR
11/12/2013
My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this very difficult time.
Brenda Davis
11/12/2013
Marlys and Bill, my sincere condolences and heartfelt prayer for you both. Take comfort in these words; "Brothers and sisters, we want you to know about those Christians who have died so you will not be sad, as others who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and that he rose again. So, because of him, God will raise with Jesus those who have died. What we tell you now is the Lords own message. We who are living when the Lord comes again will not go before those who have already died. The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. And those who have died believing in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive will be gathered up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words."
Dan & Roxie Miller
11/12/2013
Marlys and Bill, Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. We are very sorry to hear of the loss of Sean. May God be by your side and carry you through.
Ann Perschau Sorensen
11/12/2013
Seaner, some of my fondest memories from high school involve you and your infectious spirit. Rest in peace, buddy. You will be missed. Marlys and Bill, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Larry Speed
11/12/2013
Marlys and Bill,
I am shocked hearing about the passing of Sean. Although I only met Sean a few times, I remember his smile and the joy he had for life.
Georgia and I offer our condolence.
Meribeth Haynes
11/11/2013
Marlys -- I heard about Sean this morning at Valley High School. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I've thought about him all day today!!! I will never forget what an inspiration he was while he was a student at Valley. And I will never forget that smile of his and his excitement of seeing someone he knew! Sean set the bar at Valley that other students now strive to achieve. It was a privilege to have known him. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. I will never forget Sean!!!
George Hoffman
11/11/2013
I worked with Sean while he was at Mainstream. He was such a bundle of joy and energy. I can't believe he's gone. I know he is whole, happy, and with his Lord and Savior, but he will be missed here on earth. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
Missy Rosberg White
11/11/2013
Bill and Marlys, my heart is broken for you guys. Seaner was the biggest joy to all around him. I was so blessed to call him my friend. I am so thankful Sean loved God so deeply and know that He is holding Sean right now. Sean makes heaven a better place to look forward to. You guys are in my heart and my prayers. Seaner, you're my buddy and I love you!!! -miss Missy
Shannon Swain
11/11/2013
Bill and Marlys- so sorry to hear of Seans passing. Condolences to your family. If half of the people had Sean's joy and acceptance of others , we would all live in a better world.
God Bless-
The Swains