Donald “Nick” Nielson, 88

Donald “Nick” Nielson, 88, died Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016 at Azura Memory Care in Beloit. He was born Feb. 29, 1928 (a leap year baby) to the late Nels and Helen (Harriman) Nielson in Milwaukee, Wis. Nick married Laona Holcomb on Aug. 6, 1948 in Clinton. She preceded him in death on July 24, 1992. Nick married Ruth Esselman on April 1, 1995, she survives. Nick worked at the DeLong Company for 45 years as a salesman and as a warehouse foreman. He was a member of St. Stephen’s Catholic Church and the Rhinoceros Club in Clinton. Nick was a Volunteer Fireman for the Clinton Fire Dept for 32 years, serving as Treasurer, First Assistant, and Second Assistant and as a Board Director. He was an avid outdoorsman, especially enjoying fishing and hunting. Nick also enjoyed playing pool, bowling, playing cards and spending time with his grandchildren. In his younger years, he enjoyed dancing with Laona. Nick will be fondly remembered for his good sense of humor.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Esselman-Nielson; his four children, Dennis (Marianne) Nielson, Debbie (Tony) Cefalu, Donna (Dallas) Insko and Dixie (Sam) Bennett; four step- children, David (Becky) Esselman, Judy Lawler, Dennis Esselman and Donald (Carol) Esselman; 14 grandchildren, Brittany (fiancé, Marcus) Nielson, Nels (Amber) Nielson, Kindt (Alyssa) Nielson, Maren (Matt) Cooper, Alison (Mike) Payson, Carly (Michael) Catalano, Alex (Emily) Henderson, Lindsay Henderson, Nicholas Bennett, Chuck (Christy) Bennett, Jesse Bennett, Samantha (Marty) Ingle, Peter (Missy) Bennett and Cody Bennett; 22 great- grandchildren and 10 step-grandchildren and 13 step great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Laona his daughter-in-law, Barbara Nielson,

Older Nick Nielson

Younger Nick Nielson

 his step grandson, Josh Esselman and his step son-in-law, Ronald Lawler.

Nick’s Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 18, 2016 in St. Stephen Catholic Church, 716 Shular Lane, Clinton with Fr. Bill Connell officiating. Friends will be received on Thursday in the Brian Mark Funeral Home, 504 Milwaukee Road from 5 – 7 p.m. and again on Friday at Church from 10 – 10:45 a.m. Interment will follow the service in the Clinton Cemetery. Memorials may be given to St. Stephen’s Catholic Church. Please share a memory or a condolence with the family on our website www.brianmarkfh.com. Brian G. Mark Funeral Homes, 504 Milwaukee Road, Clinton, Wis., Phone: 608-362-2000.