Jess Nielsen

Jess Nielsen, age 93, of North Platte, died Friday, November 22, 2019, at Great Plains Health.

Jess was born August 6, 1926, to Anders and Ellinor Nielsen in Moline, Illinois. At a young age, the family moved to Nebraska and settled in Dannebrog, where Anders purchased and operated Creamland Creamery. Jess helped his dad run the creamery and graduated from Dannebrog High School in 1944. During high school he participated in several sports and excelled in playing the violin.

In June of 1944 Jess enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and served as a clerk (non-typing). Following his discharge in 1945 he enrolled at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln where he studied physics, political science, and music, and where he sang in the select University Singers choral group. After completing his bachelor's degree, he entered Law College at UNL.

After graduation from law school, Jess joined the Crosby law firm in North Platte and later became partner at Crosby & Nielsen. Several years after M.E. Crosby retired, Rich Birch joined the practice, which was later named Nielsen & Birch Law Offices. In his practice, Jess was particularly interested in water law and represented the Platte Valley Public Power and Natural Resources District for many years.

While representing a client in the federal case entitled US vs. 92 parcels of land, Jess met Harriet Hooker Seidel, who was working in Omaha for the US District Attorney's Office and traveling to North Platte for proceedings in the aforementioned case. Since Harriet was originally from Wahoo, the couple returned to her home town and were married at the Presbyterian Church on October 16, 1954. They made their home in North Platte where they raised two sons.

Over the years, Jess was active in several local organizations, including Jaycees, Rotary, P.R. Halligan Post #163 American Legion, Platte Valley Lodge #32 A.F. & A.M., North Platte Shrine Club, and North Platte Area Chamber of Commerce. He earned a private pilot license and shared ownership and operation of a light plane with several club members. Later he served on the North Platte Airport Authority board where he was a strong supporter of runway expansion and keeping the NOAA weather forecasting station at LBF. Jess directed the adult choir at the Presbyterian Church for 25 years and served on the Community Concert Association board where he was instrumental in bringing top talent to town. More recently, Jess served on the board to plan and construct the 20th Century Veteran's Memorial.

Harriet and Jess had a cabin in Estes Park, Colorado, where they looked forward to spending time in Rocky Mountain National Park. They also enjoyed playing golf at the North Platte Country Club, where Jess scored his first (and only) hole-in-one in 1986. Both Husker alumni, they cheered loudly for the Big Red, attending most home football games in Lincoln.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Rhonda Nielsen, and granddaughter, Sarah Nielsen, all of Lake Elmo, Minnesota; and son, Brad Nielsen of Rochester Hills, Michigan; and other family.

Jess was preceded in death by his wife, Harriet; and parents, Anders and Ellinor Nielsen.

In keeping with Jess's wishes, the casket will be closed and the family will have a private graveside service in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, November 25-26, 2019, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the 20th Century Veterans Memorial or First Presbyterian Church for preservation of the pipe organ.