H. Michael Nehls

Herbert Michael Nehls was born April 14, 1946, the son of Herbert and Virginia Nehls, and entered eternal life on August 22, 2010.

He grew up in Oak Harbor, OH, received his BA from Capital University and his Master of Divinity from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, both in Columbus, OH. He was ordained into the Lutheran ministry on June 25, 1972. He served congregations in Washington and Ohio before becoming involved in development work. He served as Executive Director of the Foundation of Lutheran Homes Society in Toledo, OH, and was Director of Estate and Planned Giving at Grand View University in Des Moines. He retired from Grand View University in 2007. He also published a book of Advent/Christmas sermons entitled “The Colors of Christmas”.

In 2001, he married Carolyn Hansen, and they resided in Ankeny. He was a member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Urbandale, where he served on staff as Resource Pastor and also was an officer of the Des Moines Host Lions Club. He enjoyed golf, Civil War studies, antique cars, camping, wintering in Florida, and following the Cleveland Browns, The Ohio State Buckeyes, and the Chicago White Sox.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; two daughters, Melanie Nehls Burow and her husband Andrew of Boulder, CO, and Stefanie Taylor and her husband Matthew of Bluffton, OH; two step-sons, Terry Hansen of Minneapolis, MN, and Brian Hansen and his wife, Ann of Estherville, IA. He is also survived by two grandsons, brothers Barry Nehls and his wife Sue of Toledo, OH, Tarry Nehls of Toledo, OH, and his father, Herbert Nehls of Oak Harbor, OH. He is preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Nehls.

Visitation will be held at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, on Wednesday, August 25 from 5-8 p.m., and a celebration of his life will be held at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Thursday, August 26, with visitation from 4-5 p.m. and worship service at 5 p.m. Burial will be at Roose Cemetery in Oak Harbor, OH.

The family requests that memorials be made to Grand View University, c/o Bill Burma, Vice President for Advancement, 1200 Grandview Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50316; St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 3510 72nd Street, Urbandale, IA 50322; or to the Des Moines Host Lions Foundation, c/o Roderic M. Shirk, 6255 Beechtree Drive, #106, West Des Moines, IA 50266.

Online condolences to:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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