Erik Charles Nielsen
December 10, 2014
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Service Details
Erik Charles Nielsen entered eternal rest with our Lord and Savior on December 9th, 2014 after suffering a sudden brain aneurysm.
Erik was born in Des Moines, IA to Tim and Beth (Egan) Nielsen on September 2, 1994. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church, he attended Sacred Heart grade school, Dowling Catholic High School and was currently a sophomore at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. He loved being a Tommie, but was a Hawkeye at heart.
Erik was a creative, compassionate man with a great sense of humor. He was a friend to many. He loved reading and learning, music, dancing and hanging out with family and friends. His infectious smile and laugh could warm anyone's heart. He was patient and kind, a great teacher to all. Inspired by love, his wish was to be an organ donor and through those gifts continues to share his life with others.
Erik is preceded in death by his grandfathers, Kenneth Nielsen and Robert Egan, and his uncle Kenny Nielsen. He is survived by his parents, brothers Jeff and Daniel, sisters Anna and Rebecca; grandmothers Therese Nielsen and Mary Egan; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
The family wishes to thank the University of St. Thomas personnel and the staff at Hennepin County Medical Center ICU for their care and support. A huge thanks to all the St. Thomas students who knew and loved Erik so very much. Also the Dowling Catholic community and Sacred Heart families who have been so loving, caring and supportive through this very difficult time.
A visitation will be held Friday, December 12th at St. Francis Church in West Des Moines from 4:00pm-8:00pm. Funeral services will be Saturday, December 13th at Sacred Heart Church in West Des Moines at 10am.
Online condolences can be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com
Nancy Baker
12/12/2014
Beth,Tim and family-Our hearts go out to your family! May the Good Lord help you through this time and be able to accept your loss. He was "special".
Nan (Gaul) Crawford
12/12/2014
Tim, Beth and family,
My heart breaks for you all. There are no words to ease your pain. Our only comfort is knowing that one day we will all be together again with our loving Father. Please know all the Gaul-Crawfords are praying for you.
Katich Family
12/12/2014
Beth,Tim and family-Our hearts were broke this week and the one solace we have is knowing Erik is watching over us and helping us at this time. If ever there was a young man capable of this, it would be Erik. Our favorite memory is sitting at the firepit and having smores with Erik,Conner,Cole,Luke and Dan. So much laughter! My 4 kids have never agreed on anything as a group their entire lives until this week- that Erik is the kindest, most generous kid they have ever known. Love and prayers.
Mary Beth Kamins
12/12/2014
I am a family friend of Erik's sister's room mate at Loras College, and I just wanted to let you know how much Erik's story has touched me and my family. Please know that we are humbly asking the Holy Spirit to guide you and to give you courage and peace.
Katie Petersen
12/12/2014
Thinking and praying for Erik and your family. Erik always had a smile on his face. I will never forget how hard I laugh watching him play Chip in Beauty and the Beast. He always made people laugh.
Lee Pallardy Family
12/12/2014
Erik and the entire Nielsen Family is in our thoughts and prayers. We hope the Nielsen Family can find consolation in knowing Eric now sleeps in the Peace of Christ. May his soul and all the souls of the faithfully departed rest in peace.
Christine Haindfield Hasek
12/12/2014
I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this very difficult time. Hold those memories close and they will help heal the holes left in your hearts. May God bless all of you.
Carole Tweedy
12/12/2014
My condolences on your loss of Erik. May you always remember the wonderful years you had with your beautiful son.
Barb Hemann
12/11/2014
I am so sad that Erik is no longer with us, or should I just say maybe in another way. Even in his death he continues to give parts of himself so others can live with him forever. What a gift! He will also live with me: his contagious smile, his sweet respect, his love of learning. I wish he could have been around forever because his life certainly would have taught other young men what it was like to be a good man. I will remember him forever as Erik, the good young man.
Ann Stover
12/11/2014
We hold you in our hearts and our prayers! Ann and Gary and Tyler and Taylor Stover
Tim, Sandy, Rachel and Luke Fitzgibbon
12/11/2014
Tim, Beth, Jeff, Anna, Daniel and Becca - we send our love and prayers as you grieve the loss of Erik. We were so deeply saddened to learn of his passing and we will treasure the many wonderful memories we have of Erik. Luke cherished his friendship with Erik and we will all miss him very much. He was a bright light and positive influence to all around him. May God provide you all peace and comfort at this very sad time.
Kimm Thiboldeaux
12/11/2014
Tim and Beth
I know there are no words to share with you to make the pain more bearable, but I hope that this helps you to know you are not alone in your heartbreak. I had the pleasure of having Erik as a Student Employee for a year and a half. Though (as he may have shared) our department did not have the best of year; we bonded in our support of one another through the loss of a life and a fellow students fight for her life. Eriks kindness and caring nature was a blessing to our department my staff and I will never forget your son. This week you cannot go anywhere on campus without seeing our community hurting with you. What a beautiful testament to the kind of man Erik was and the depths to which he has touched many.
Finally as a mother of a child who received an organ transplant I can tell you that your son will forever be in the hearts of the families that were blessed with the gift of life your gracious gift gave them.
May you, Jeff, Daniel, Anna and Rebecca find comfort in the prayers thousands are sending for your family, may God bless you and guide you through your loss.
Kimm Thiboldeaux
Campus Scheduling Services
University of St Thomas
Shojaat Family
12/11/2014
May we extend our most sincere condolences to the Nielsen Family. Erik was a gentleman, compassionate, respectable and courteous young man. We always enjoyed Erik at our house with all the friends. Shayla will forever cherish their friendship.
May comfort rest in your hearts knowing the beauty of God's everlasting promise. Please know our prayers and thoughts are with you. Blessings always.
Terri and Mike Kruse, Emily, Aaron, Eric, Evan, Ab
12/11/2014
Our family is absolutely devastated by dear Erik's passing from our lives and we will miss him immensely. We remember him as the most wonderful young man you would ever hope to know and we are proud to have had him in our lives. Our children literally grew up together from elementary, high school and college, to playing together daily, staying at each other houses and going to events together. We consider your children ours and our children yours. Our sorrow is deep for your loss and suffering. Because you are such wonderful parents and have raised your children to be prayerful, faith-filled and giving, we are assured that Our Mother Mary and Jesus have Erik wrapped in their loving arms as he is with God and brimming with happiness and joy. May all of our wonderful memories of Erik sustain each of us during this difficult time. You are never alone. You will continue to have our love, prayers and support through this time. Peace and Love of Christ be with your family always.
Vicky and Derek
12/11/2014
Our deepest sympathy and love to all the Nielsen family. Our prayers and support are with you.