Dec. 9, 1942 - Feb. 26, 2014

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Ronald Edward Nielsen of McCook died Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte. He was 71 years old.

He was born on Dec. 9, 1942, in Tacoma, Washington, to Richard Andrew and Verna Pauline (Lohr) Nielsen. He was baptized in January of 1943 in Tacoma. After Richard was discharged from the Coast Guard in 1946, the family moved to Verna's home town of Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin. In 1948, the family moved to McCook. Ronald was confirmed in the faith at Peace Lutheran Church, where he was a lifelong member.

In 1959, at the age of 15, he underwent heart surgery at Mayo Clinic for congenital heart problems. Ronald graduated from McCook High School in 1961. During summer vacations, he worked for Loar Electric and Kramer Electric as an electrician's helper. He attended Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, graduating in 1965 with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. He was unable to enter practice due to health concerns, but was licensed in the state of Kansas.

From 1974 thru 1987, he worked as a licensed electrician, wiring Westland Homes for R. A. Nielsen Realty. He also worked there as a carpenter's helper. In addition, he helped his mother at her Verna's Health Food Store from 1963 to 1978. After her death in 1978, he owned and managed Verna's Health Foods in downtown McCook until the year 2000, when he was unable to continue due to health concerns. His passion for health foods and for helping others led him to enjoy gardening and sharing his knowledge with whomever he met. He loved watching old time shows and listening to old time music, including rag time. He was a dedicated member of the McCook Concert Association for many years. Some of his favorite times were being with family and listening to news about his nieces and nephews and their families.

Preceding him in death was his mother, Verna Nielsen on April 11, 1978; brother, Dr. Gary Nielsen on Dec. 18, 2008, and father, Richard, on Aug. 20, 2009.

Survivors include his brother, Dr. Michael (Linda) Nielsen; step-mother, Dorothy Eisenbarth; sister-in-law, Patricia Nielsen; nephews, Matthew (Angie) Nielsen, Nathan Nielsen and Andrew (Laura) Nielsen; nieces, Amy (Robert) Stanley and Adrienne (Guang) Zhang. He is also survived by uncles, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Family will greet friends from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

Funeral services will be Monday, March 3, 2014, at 11 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in McCook with Pastor Tom Albertson officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Friends may leave on-line condolences at herrmannfh.com. Memorials may be given in his name.

Herrmann-Jones Funeral Home in McCook is in charge of arrangements.