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Dewey Nielsen
DEWEY MARSHALL NIELSEN
Oxford
Dewey Marshall Nielsen of Oxford, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Dec. 19, 2020, from a combination of COVID-19 and agent orange (exposed during his time in military service) at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.
Dewey was born July 13, 1946, to Wanda (Marshall) and Milton Nielsen in Rugby, N.D. He graduated from Rugby High School and the University of North Dakota. He spent four years in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Vietnam, Thailand and Pakistan. Dewey married the love of his life, Darlene (Ill) on June 10, 1972, in St. Thomas, N.D.
Dewey worked with his father and brother in the family business, Rugby Creamery, until it was sold in 1978. After which he spent eight years working for the Boy Scouts of America in Charles City, Iowa; Sedalia, Mo., and Seward, Neb. In 1986, Dewey found his true calling with the purchase of Sleepy Hollow Campground. He enjoyed meeting and visiting with all the campers and those from the community who would walk through his doors. He always had a project going and worked tirelessly to create memories for those who visited.
Dewey was a collector, Match Box cars, Hotwheels, rocks, boulders, Coca Cola, etc. He loved bird watching, flowers, trees and anything to do with landscaping. He was an Eagle Scout and helped many young boys achieve their Eagle Scout awards.
Dewey is survived by his wife of 48 years, Darlene; his son, Anthony (Erin) Nielsen of Chicago, Ill.; his daughter, Kayla (Bryan) Nehring of Marion, Iowa; and three wonderful grandchildren, Kaiden Nielsen, Hadley Nielsen and Kharl Nehring; his twin brother, Al (Bev) Nielsen, Horace, N.D.; sister, Nancy (Laurance) Heger, Underwood, N.D.; brother-in-law, Jim Meehan of Chazy, N.Y.; and extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Alyssa; parents and sister, Ann Meehan.
Services celebrating Dewey's life will be held at a later date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his memory to the Veterans Memorial Wall being built in Oxford. (c/o Oxford American Legion, P.O. Box 189, Oxford, IA 52322). To share a thought, memory or condolence with his familym please visit the funeral home website at www.gayandciha.com.
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