Ivan ‘Ike’ Nielsen, 77, of St. Charles died Saturday morning June 14, 2003 at Seasons Hospice in Rochester.

Ike was born July 12, 1925 in Scranton, Iowa to Laurence and Elsie (Jensen) Nielsen. He served in the Navy during WWII in the South Pacific, stationed in Saipan and Tinian as an airplane mechanic. He and Doris Volding were married Oct. 3, 1952 in Crystal Lake, Iowa. Following their marriage they lived for a short time in Crystal Lake, where Ike was a volunteer fireman and fire chief. They moved to Albert Lea March 1, 1956, where he worked for Wilson Foods in maintenance as a welder and later as a supervisor. Following retirement the couple moved to Lakeland, Fla. for 10 years. In Dec. of 1997 they moved to St. Charles to be near family.

While living in Albert Leas he was a member of Ascension Lutheran Church. In St. Charles they he belonged to St. Charles United Methodist Church. He was a lifelong member of American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars in Albert Lea.

Survivors include his wife Doris, four children, Linda (Warren) Stowell of Mapleton; Don (Joelene) Nielsen of Albion, Mich.; Allan Nielsen of Mapleton and Larry (Tammy) Nielsen of St. Charles, eight grandchildren, Melissa (Thomas) Tanner; Lee (Kimberly) Stowell; Tom (Shelly) Stowell; Erin, Maren, Kelsey, Eric and Alex Nielsen; seven great-grandchildren Linsey, Ashley and Zachary Stowell, Caroline and Gustav Tanner. Benjamin and Gabriella Stowell, three sisters, Vivian (Blaine) Anderson of Federal Way, Wash.; Eileen (Jim) Siefert of Excelsior Springs, Mo. and Margaret (Bob) Bunkofski of Buffalie Center, Iowa, three brothers Harold (Margaret) Nielsen and Ron Nielsen both of Crystal Lake, Iowa; and Larry (Mary) Nielsen of Auburn, Wash. A brother Aaron preceded him in death.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Charles United Methodist Church with the Rev. Sharon Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery in Albert Lea at 2:15 p.m. on Thursday. Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at Hoff Funeral Home’s – St. Charles Chapel. They may also call one hour before services Wednesday at the church.

Grandchildren will serve a honorary pallbearers.