Dale Eugene Nielsen

Dale Eugene Nielsen age 85 of Johnston, IA passed away Tuesday May 21, 2024 at his home.

Dale was born April 24, 1939 in Atlantic, IA to Jens and Elise Jorgensen Nielsen who immigrated to the United States from a small locality north of Aabybro, Denmark in 1916. He was proud of his Danish heritage. Dale was the 10th of 11 children (six boys and five girls.) Dale grew up in Atlantic. His nickname was “Ears”. He got his first job at age 11, setting bowling pins at the Hawkeye Bowl in Atlantic. This is where he started a lifelong friendship with Loren King, the owner of the bowling alley. When Dale was a teenager he worked with his father building bridges and culverts. At age 14, Dale enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard and he served in the Army Guard for 9 years.

In high school Dale was the quarterback for the varsity football team and made first team All-Conference. He placed second in the football throw at the state track meet. He also played varsity basketball and played on the Atlantic town baseball team. Dale was invited to a tryout with the Cincinnati Reds as a catcher. Dale graduated from Atlantic High School in 1957.

He married La Vila Marie Johnson from Marne, IA on January 9, 1960. Dale and La Vila moved to Omaha, NE where Dale joined the Carpenters Union and worked in residential construction. Dale and his family moved back to Atlantic in 1963 and then to Marne in 1971. Dale started a residential construction company and he built homes in and around Iowa until 1977.

Due to medical reasons Dale left the construction industry in 1978. In 1981, Dale received an Associate’s Degree in computer programming from Iowa Western Community College. He became a Computer Programmer and worked for United Federal Savings Bank and Polk County in Des Moines. He relocated his family to Urbandale, IA in 1985. Later Dale became a Systems Analyst for Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System until he retired at age 65. Dale and La Vila moved to Johnston in 2000 to live in the last house that he would design and build.

Dale’s favorite activities included bowling, of which he participated on the Schlitz Beer Brewing bowling team in the 1970s. Dale enjoyed shooting pool, and was a tremendous golfer inspired by Loren King. He played softball and volleyball on coed teams in Marne and Atlantic. Dale was enthusiastic about watching sports in person and on TV. He was an avid lifelong St Louis Cardinals fan enjoying many boys’ trips to St Louis to watch baseball and play golf.

Dale treasured coaching and watching all his children's and grandchildren's sporting events. Noteworthy is the fact that he was better at calling balls and strikes from the stands than the umpires behind the plate!

In his life he was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic parish in Atlantic, St Mary of Nazareth Parish in Des Moines and St Pius Parish in Urbandale. He was a member of Knights of Columbus.

The most important thing in Dale's life was his family. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Colonel (USA P) Lars, Major (USA Retired) Leroy, Jimmy, Harvey and Brigadier General (USA Retired) Frank and sisters Clara, Dagney, Karen, Thelma and Agnes; and their spouses; sisters-in-law, Frances Nielsen and Carol Hemmingsen; and brother-in-law, Richard Hemmingsen.

Dale is survived by his wife of 64 years, La Vila Marie (Johnson) Nielsen; sons, MSgt (USAF Retired) Stanley (Mary Ann) Nielsen of Des Moines, Lt. Col. (USAF Retired) Steven (Melissa) Nielsen, of Coralville; daughters, Kayleen (David) Foshe of Parker, CO, Kristine (Monte) Friestad of Granger, and Kerrie (Matt) Mohler, of West Des Moines; 11 grandchildren, Maren (Ben) Friedman of Des Moines, Frances Nielsen of Des Moines, Marijke Nielsen of Tucson, AZ, Anneke Nielsen of Coralville, Kaleb (Cait) Foshe of West Des Moines, Keenan Foshe of Denver, CO, Monte (Taylor) Friestad Jr of Ankeny, Derek Friestad of West Des Moines, and Jacob, Mackenzie and Easton Mohler of West Des Moines; sister-in-law, Cindy Nielsen of Knoxville, IA; several beloved nieces and nephews; and many friends, golf buddies, and others who listened to Dales countless repeated stories.

Family will greet guests on Thursday, May 30, 2024 from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m., at St. Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church, 4600 Meredith Dr., Des Moines. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place following visitation at 11:00 a.m., at the church. A private burial will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in loving memory of Dale Nielsen.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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