Kendall M. Nielsen

Kendall M. Nielsen, 78, of Sioux City, IA passed away on Monday, January 5, 2015 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE.Memorial services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, January 12, 2015 at the Mohr Funeral Home in South Sioux City, NE with Rev. Kelley Pedersen of First Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will begin at 5:00 P.M., with the family present at 6:00 P.M. and a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. on Sunday, January 11, 2015 at the funeral home.Kendall was born in Maskell, NE on April 1, 1936, the son of Melvin and Deda (Orr) Nielsen. He attended school in South Sioux City, NE. He married Evelyn Jean Miller in 1956 in Sioux City, IA. He lived and worked in the Sioux City area most of his life. He was employed at Swift's Packing House for 17 years in Sioux City and Grand Island, NE. He owned and operated a Jack and Jill grocery store in Slayton, MN, a bar/casino in Jefferson, SD and was self-employed part time in the construction business most of his life. He retired from Wells Blue Bunny on February 13, 1998, after working there 5 years.Kendall was a member of the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department and the Chamber of Commerce in Jefferson, SD and Slayton, MN. He fought in the Golden Gloves as a teenager.He especially enjoyed horses, boating, water sports and outdoor activities, yard work, boxing and pool. In 1997 Sherry Heimbecker came into his life. They enjoyed dancing, traveling, cards and family activities with both Kendall and Sherry's families, on a very frequent basis. He also enjoyed laughing, teasing and telling stories. Kendall loved all sports, particularly basketball and football. Kendall and Sherry traveled to many sports activities.Survivors include 2 sons, Jeff (Deeny) of Nebraska City, NE and Scott (Sue) of Omaha, NE; 8 grandchildren, Lindsay, Kaylie, Brieann, Morgan, Luke, Adam, Grant and Ryan; sister, Faye (Ronnie) Sailors of Yankton, SD; sister-in-law, Beverly Nielsen of South Sioux City, NE; several nieces and nephews; partner, Sherry Heimbecker and her daughter, Stephanie (Christopher) Hollibaugh, and granddaughters, Isabella and Lily.Kendall was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters, Llan (Virginia), Marvin, Carol (Gus) Pappas, Vergean (Harley) Matney; and brother-in-law, Russ Helzer.