August Nielsen

August N. Nielsen, age 91, died on May 6, 2008. He was born on August 30, 1916, to Peter and Mary (Mattson) Nielsen outside of Oberon, North Dakota. After graduation in 1934, Augie came to Fargo and graduated from the Dakota Business College and went to work for Pacific Gamble Robinson Company. He married Eleanore Anderson September 5, 1942, in Fargo. Eleanore was his beloved wife, the love of his life, and his best friend until her death in June 1993. In 1943, August entered the United States Marine Corps. In the spring and summer of 1945, he served during the battle of Okinawa. He also served in the Russell Islands and Tientsin, China. For the remainder of his life, Augie took a quiet pride in his service as a Marine. He was thrilled to be a member of North Dakota’s first Honor Flight to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 2007. After his honorable discharge from service, Augie and Eleanore returned to Fargo, where he resumed his work for Gamble Robinson. He remained with that company in positions of increasing responsibility until 1981. As his career progressed, each promotion took Augie and his growing family to a new city: Bismarck, Butte, Billings, and finally Salt Lake City. The happiest time of Augie’s life was when he was traveling with Eleanore, his family, and friends. In 1999, Augie moved back to Fargo, where he enjoyed the company of his sisters, daughters, and life-long friends. He became active in the Golden K Kiwanis, First United Methodist Church and Meals on Wheels. As Augie enriched many lives, so many people enriched his life. One special person was Ruth Anderson of Fargo. She and her husband Carl were the witnesses at Augie and Eleanore’s wedding. After their spouses passed away, Augie and Ruth supported one another and became the best of friends. Augie was a resident of the wonderful Riverview Place from October 2007, until the time of his death. August is survived by his three daughters, Barbara Nielsen of Salt Lake City, Utah, Nancy Nielsen (Don Ausemus) of St. Anthony, Minnesota, and Carol Lynn Nielsen (Randy Burg) of Bemidji, Minnesota. His grandchildren are Eileen Nielsen (Christian Jensen) of Tacoma, Washington, and Keith Nielsen (Tara Backman) of Washington, D.C., and his great grandchildren Noah and Katherine Jensen of Tacoma, Washington. Augie’s sisters are Sophie Beutler and Elma Richardson of Fargo, North Dakota, and Pearl (Jim) Kragrud of Las Vegas, Nevada. August was preceded in death by his brother Al Nielsen of Kansas City, Missouri. Augie’s life was guided by the principle that there was good in everybody, and that it was his obligation to find and appreciate it. Memorials are preferred to the Fargo Golden K Kiwanis (for the needs of children) or Hospice of the Red River Valley. Memorial Service: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 3:30 PM, at First United Methodist Church, Fargo, ND. Prayer Service: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 1:00 PM at Riverview Place, Fargo, ND. Inurnment: Private – Family only.