Carl V. Nielsen
April 01, 2011
Carl V. Nielsen, 79, passed away April 1, 2011, at Bright Kavanagh House.
Carl was born January 19, 1932, in Bridgeport, CT, to Edward and Káren Nielsen. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was a graduate of Grand View College and Drake University Law School. Carl was in private practice with Sutton & Nielsen Law Firm from 1961 until 1981, then served as Executive Director of the Iowa Bar Association from 1981 until 1998. Carl was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives and served from 1973 to 1978, and was elected as Speaker Pro Tempore.
Carl was past president of King David Masonic Lodge in Altoona, was a member of the Za Ga Zig Shrine, and was also a Jester. He served on the Board of Directors of the Shriners Hospital for Children, Minneapolis, MN, from 2000 until 2009. Carl and his wife Marilyn were 50-year members of Westminster Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed spending time with his family, boating on the Mississippi River and Lake Rathbun, and was an avid golfer.
Carl is survived by his wife of 53 years Marilyn; children, Anne (Mark) West, Karla Sorensen and Steve (Lisa) Nielsen; grandchildren, Amy Fine, Joshua (Jayna) Doughan, Ashley West, Michael Sorensen, Amanda (Joshua) Jones, Mackenzie West, John Nielsen and Rachel Nielsen; great-grandson, Bryce Doughan; brothers, John, Al and David Nielsen; sister, Helga Turmon; and a host of other extended relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Edward; and sisters, Edith and Elizabeth.
A memorial visitation will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4114 Allison Avenue, from 12 to 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 5, 2011, followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made in loving memory of Carl to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Minneapolis, MN.
Online condolences may be sent to:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Larry L Tuel
04/06/2011
Dear Marilyn and family
I was the executive director of the Iowa Finance Authority from 1986 to 1990, and headed up the Title Guaranty Division of IFA at the time. Carl and the ISBA approached IFA with the concept of a state run title insurance program that would combine the use of attorney title opinions with a form of a title guaranty in order to protect the public and allow Iowa made mortgages to be sold to the national secondary market. It is a complicated concept and was not widely used in the U.S. However under Carl's guidance and direction, we were able to put the legislation in place and develop the program. I then had the priviledge of going on a 5 day ten city bus tour with Carl and other ISBA and IFA staff to sell the program. I can't recall ever working more difficult crowds or having more fun doing it, all thanks to Carl. The end result was a very sucessful program that has and will generate substantial funds for public use, and protect Iowa citizens. He is a great man and I miss him. He made a lasting impression on me and he provided great service to Iowa and beyond. It was a joy to know him, I loved his wisdom and sense of humor, and I will never forget him. I know your pain right now and I know it will be better with time and appreciation of all the good Carl provided. My deepest sympathy.
Larry Tuel
Julian B. Garrett
04/05/2011
Hi All-
I knew Carl when he served as Executive Director of the Bar Association. I always enjoyed working with him. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time.
Julian B. Garrett
GEORGE KINLEY
04/05/2011
I HAD THE PLEASURE OF SERVING WITH CARL IN THE IOWA LEGISLATURE.
HE WAS GOOD AT WHAT HE DID AND ALTHOUGH I HAVE'NT SEEN CARL THE LAST
FEW YEARS I HAVE NOTHING BUT PLEASANT MEMORIES WHEN HIS NAME EVER
CAME UP.MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY AND SORRY I'M UNABLE TO
ATTEND THE SERVICES
Rick Richie
04/05/2011
Please accept our sincere sympathy for your loss. Celebrate all the good memories, which will provide healing for these times.
Sincerely,
Rick and Treanna Richie
United Suppliers Inc.
Gerald Skogley
04/05/2011
I served on the Shrine Hospital Board with Carl in 2000. I also was part of the committee established to "save the hospital". He and I worked together to improve the way in which the Hospital System funds were invested. Carl was tenacious. courteous, and had a way of "getting things done". I wish to express my sincere condolences to the family.
Kathleen Neylan
04/04/2011
I was saddened to learn of Carl's death. He was such a fine person. I know you will miss him very much.
Although we have met, Marilyn, there is no particular reason for you to remember me. I am a lawyer who practices in a small town in the northeastern part of the state, 200 miles from Des Moines. I think I am typical of many lawyers who around the state who Carl managed to include in the work and benefits of the Iowa Bar Association. He had such a personal touch that we all felt important to him.
I hope Carl's retirement years with his family and friends were all that he hoped for. You all meant so much to him.
Kathleen Neylan
Elkader, IA 52043
Russ and Ginny Buchanan
04/04/2011
Dear Marilyn,
We read in the 'Register' yesterday about Carl's death, and want you to know how much we treasure the memories of Carl and all the State Bar ACtivities. The were such fun times with many of our best friends. Carl ws a master at planning and always mmade the trips interesting as well as educational for the men. (We 'girls' were fortunate to be able to just play and shop From fishing Lake Michigan to my own pop corn machine at the Marriott, he knew just what we wanted - and arranged for it.He was a worker and so devoted to the Bar Association.
Tell the grandkids that I got to know them too, through our conversations. He was so proud of each one.
Our sympathy to all the family. We won't be coing down for the service. We would love to see you and honor Carl too. We are pretty good physically but One of us has a memory problem. I want to call you and visit with you, Marilyn but maybe later on would be better for you. I just tried to call you but realize you have so much on your mind today.
We will be i touch later. Regards to our Bar friends.
Much sympathy and our love,
Ginny and Russ Buchanan
Mary Pat Zwack
04/04/2011
I am a nurse at Shriners Hospital. My condolences to the whole family. Carl was a good man & supportive to us. I see the same qualities in Steve as we see him now with the patient is sponsoring to have treatment here.
Rebecca Wright, Twin Cities Unit, Shriner's Hospit
04/04/2011
I am sad to hear of Carl V. Nielsen's passing. He was so dedicated to our hospital and a wonderful gentleman. We are blessed to have had him helping on the Board. My deepest condolences to your family.
Sergio, Rae and Terra Castro
04/02/2011
Dear Marilyn,
We are very san to hear of Carl's passing. We send our deepest condolences to you during this time.
Sincerely,
Ed, Rae and Terra Castro
Rae and Sergio Castro
04/02/2011
Dear Marilyn and family,
We were very sad to hear of Carl's passing.
Our deepest condolences.