LaVerne W. Nielsen

LaVerne Wendell Nielsen, age 77, of Beach, North Dakota, died Monday, April 26, 2010, on the family farm north of Beach, fulfilling his request to die at home with his family. LaVerne was born February 19, 1933, on the Schell place north of Beach. He was welcomed into the family of Leo and Vera (Meech) Nielsen as the youngest of three children. He attended Bonnie View School and Beach High School where he graduated in 1951. Upon graduation, he attended NDAC until 1955, at which time he entered the United States Air Force and served for four years in Kadena AB, Okinawa and Washington state. After his discharge, LaVerne attended Dickinson State Teachers College where he earned a science degree and soon after embarked upon a 28-year teaching career. LaVerne taught high school and junior high science in Riverdale and Lefor, North Dakota, and retired from teaching at Circle, Montana, in 1991. LaVerne was united in marriage to Judy Niece on October 24, 1964. Together they had two sons, Darrin and Pete. Darrin resides on the family farm and is a counselor at Home on the Range in Sentinel Butte, North Dakota. Pete is a Colonel Select in the United States Air Force and is currently serving as the ROTC Commander at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. LaVerne was a soft-spoken gentle man who loved his family dearly. He was a wonderful father and devoted grandfather to Reagan, Bobbi Jo, Logan, Randi, Talon, and Baili. He was known for his love of the farm (where he spent the majority of his spare time), his love for all wild creatures, and his "green thumb." He always raised prolific gardens-the produce of which he shared with everyone. He had many interests including making agate jewelry, metal detecting for rare coins, and keeping large goldfish aquariums. LaVerne is lovingly remembered by his boys, Darrin (Kristie Praus) of Beach, North Dakota, and Pete (Carla Honeyman) of Brookings, South Dakota; his brother, Lenus A. (Janice Adams) of Sheridan, Wyoming; and his sister, Leona Mae “Lone” Nielsen of Park Rapids, Minnesota. He leaves six grandchildren: Bobbi Jo, Logan, Talon, and Baili of Beach, and Reagan and Randi of Brookings, South Dakota, and a host of friends, cousins, and former students. He was preceded in death by his father Leo in 1993 and his mother Vera in 2001. Visitation will be held from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M., Sunday, May 2, 2010, at the Chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Beach. A prayer service will be held at 7:30 P.M., Sunday, May 2, 2010, at the Chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Beach. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 A.M., Monday, May 3, 2010, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Beach with Reverend Scott Hojnacki officiating. Active casketbearers will be Bob Praus, Harvey Peterson, Mark Strobbe, John Witkowski, Marlyn Adams and Mac Gilman. Honorary casketbearers will be Karen Wojahn, Einar Justesen, Rodney Snow, John Hanson, Gary Nelson, Gordy Ueckert and Jeff Gorrell. Interment with military honors will follow in the Beach Lutheran Cemetery. A lunch reception will be held at St. Paul’s Fellowship Hall following the service at the cemetery. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Beach is entrusted with arrangements. In lieu of cut flowers arrangements for the service, the family requests that a tree or flowers be planted in remembrance of LaVerne. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.silvernale-silhafuneralhome.com

LaVerne W. Nielsen

February 19, 1933 - May 3, 2010

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LaVerne W. Nielsen

February 19, 1933 - May 3, 2010

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

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