Fredrick Wilhelm Reinhold Nissen

Fredrick Wilhelm Reinhold Nissen, the son of Fred C.R. and Ella Olsen Nissen, was born June 23, 1915 in his parents home on the family farm near Hamlin, Iowa and died December 31, 2009 at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 94 years, 6 months, and 8 days.
Fred was baptized November 7, 1915 at the Hamlin Lutheran Church in Hamlin, Iowa and confirmed with the adult class at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. He attended rural school Hamlin #2. Fred worked for area farmers until 1938 and then was employed as a carpenter at Godwin F. Manufacturing in Exira for several years.
On April 27, 1941 he was united in marriage to Evelyn May Wiges at the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon. They lived one year in Exira. In 1942 they started farming northeast of Exira and later farmed for two years south of Hamlin. During World WarII Fred enlisted in the U.S. Navy Seabees where he was with the 115th C. B. Battalion. He proudly served his country in the Pacific Theatre in New Guinea and the Philippines. Following his honorable discharge on January 6, 1946, he returned to the Audubon area and worked as a carpenter for one year. Fred and Evelyn then returned to farming east of Audubon for twelve years. In 1958, they purchased a farm southeast of Audubon. They operated a grain and livestock farm until they retired from farming and moved into Audubon in 1988. Fred and Evelyn enjoyed their home and neighbors on Circle Drive before moving to the Friendship Home in August of 2007. Freds beloved wife, Evelyn, died January 18, 2009.
Fred was a long time faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon where he served on several committees and also served as a Deacon and a Trustee. He was a member of the American Legion Post #120 in Audubon and a member of the Dale Christensen Post #4119 V.F.W. Fred served as a Leroy Township Trustee. He also served many years as a 4-H leader and was a member of the Lions Club in Audubon. Fred will be remembered for his strong faith in God, his love and dedication to his family, friends, and country, his kind and compassionate nature, his gentle spirit, and his positive and optimistic outlook on life. How Fred lived his life taught his children and grandchildren the importance of love, a strong work ethic, stewardship, integrity, a sense of fairness, and good values. Fred enjoyed volunteering and sharing his time and talents for the service of the community and his church. He always had time for his children, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors no matter how busy or what he was doing.
Preceding him in death, in addition to his parents and his wife Evelyn, was a grandson, Scott Steven Byriel, his brothers: Elmer Nissen, Lester and wife Marjorie Nissen, Marvan and wife Phyllis Nissen, his sisters: Regina and husband George Madsen, Elnora and husband Hans Jessen, Daisy and husband Clarence Thysen, and Juletta and husband George Tibben.
Survivors include his children and their families: Dennis N. and wife Linda Nissen of Griswold, Iowa, their daughter Angela Zimmerman of Washington, D.C.; Sherry Nissen Byriel and husband Steven of Atlantic, Iowa and their daughters: Sarah and husband David Farnsworth of Granger, Iowa and Stephanie Byriel of Naperville, Illinois; Rick Nissen and wife Alyssa Krissen and their son Gregory Nissen of Berthoud, Colorado, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Memorials:
Memorials may be given to the Fred and Evelyn Nissen Endowed Fund for Audubon, a fund of the Audubon County Community Foundation.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon.

Visitation:
The family will meet friends Sunday afternoon at 4:00 P.M. at Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Kay E. Steddom on Monday, January 4, 2010 at 10:30 A.M. at the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon, IA.