Murray L Nielsen
January 10, 1926 — December 29, 2013
Murray L. Nielsen, 87, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at his home in Mesquite, Nevada at 11:40 am Sunday, December 29, 2013. He was born on January 10, 1926 in Kimballton, Iowa to the late George and Anna (Jepsen) Nielsen.
He attended public schools in Kimballton, Elk Horn and Audubon Iowa; as well as Drake University in Des Moines. Murray volunteered and served his country honorably during World War II with the Amphibious Corps branch of the United States Navy, where he saw combat in the Pacific Theatre aboard the Navy Destroyer USS Manley APD-1(Green Dragons).
After a 20-year successful sales career with Allis-Chalmer's Farm Machinery Division, including as Branch Manager of the Bondurant, Iowa office, he left in 1969 as General Manager of the Construction Machinery Division to become President of Nielsen Oil Company in Harlan, IA, a Texaco (and Sunoco DX) oil distributorship until his retirement in 1981. The family then lived in Hot Springs, AR for several years before moving to Mesquite, NV in 1995. Murray was a past member of the Masonic Lodge #321 A.F. & A.M. of Harlan, the Reyelt Post American Legion and the Lutheran Church in Harlan.
On March 19, 1949, Murray married the love of his life, the former Kathryn (Kay) Louise Davis, who survives and they have four surviving sons: David (Christine) of Duluth, Georgia and grandsons Adam of Sandy Springs, GA and Kyle (Carrie) of Hoschton, GA; Dennis (Margie) of Silverdale, WA and granddaughter Marisa and grandson Tanner; Daniel of Federal Way, WA and Douglas (Wendy) of Mesquite, NV as well as many other friends and relatives.
He was preceded in death by his sisters Norma, Emma, Cecilia, and Clara; brothers George and Alfred.
Sincere thanks to the staff at Virgin Valley Hospice in Mesquite, NV, Dixie Regional Medical Center, St. George, Utah and Pastor Patrick O'Neal for the love, care, kind words and support provided to Murray and his family.
A celebration of life will be held in Mesquite, NV and graveside services will be held in Kimballton, IA at later dates.
For memorial contributions, the family has designated the American Cancer Society and the Navy Seal Foundation ("Honoring our warriors; supporting their families").