Wendall Nilson

Hawarden, Iowa- Wendall A. Nilson, 88, of rural Hawarden, died Sunday, June 29, 2014 at the Hillcrest Health Care Services in Hawarden.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 3, 2014 at the American Lutheran Church in Hawarden with Rev. Erma Wolf and Pastor Stuart Schreur officiating. Burial will follow in the Grace Hill Cemetery in Hawarden with Military Rites conducted by the Hawarden American Legion Two Oaks Post 254. Visitation will begin at noon Wednesday, with the family present from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and a Prayer Service at 7 p.m. conducted by Rev. Barb Joy all at the American Lutheran Church. The Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden is assisting the Nilson family. Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com.
Wendall A. Nilson was born February 6, 1926 in Union County, South Dakota to Sigmund and Edna (Peck) Nilson. Wendall attended the Williams Country School in Virginia Township, Union County, South Dakota. He graduated from the Hawarden High School. He served in the United States Navy during 1945. On January 18, 1947, Wendall married Norma Lee Reinking. Together they farmed west of Hawarden in Union County, South Dakota. They were married for 67 years.
Wendall was baptized in and was a member of the Hawarden American Lutheran Church. He served on the Union County weed board for over 45 years. He also served as supervisor for Virginia Township. In the early 1950’s, Wendall won an award for conservation farming practices and plowing terraces in Clearwater, Nebraska. He thoroughly enjoyed family and friends, especially during the last 2 years of his life where he resided at Hillcrest Care Center. He enjoyed dancing with Norma, the love of his life. His passion was farming, raising beef cattle and corn. He was still actively farming until the age of 81 years. Wendall died Sunday, June 29, 2014 at the age of 88 years, 4 months and 23 days.
Grateful for having shared in Wendall’s life: his wife, Norma; children, Carolyn Kemner of Hawarden, Iowa, Terry (Sonia) Nilson of Tucson, Arizona, Lori (Henry) Van Sloten of Hawarden, Iowa and Scott (Ruth) Nilson also of Hawarden; 24 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Eldon of Alcester, South Dakota, Larry (Peggy) of Hawarden, and Arden of Irene, South Dakota; sisters, Audrey Rolfes and Geraldine Schreur both of Alcester, South Dakota; and many nieces and nephews.
Wendall was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother, Loren; brother, Quintin; daughter-in-law, Peggy Nilson; and a great-grandson, Matthew Kemner.