James K. Nielsen

James Keith Nielsen passed away, Thursday, June 2, 2016 at the Brookdale Vista assisted living facility in Sparks, Nevada. Graveside services with military honors will be held at 10:00am Monday, June 13, 2016 at the Hurley Cemetery, Hurley, SD. Arrangements by Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home. James Keith Nielsen was born on February 2, 1923 to Sixtus and Ethel (Hansen) Nielsen in Hurley, SD. He grew up in Hurley and graduated from Hurley High School in 1941. He attended Nettleton College for a semester, and they worked for a year and a half for the Federal Government in Washington, DC before he was drafted into the Army. He served for three years and was stationed in Alaska, Hawaii, and Okinawa. Jim attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded the American Theater Ribbon, The Good Conduct Medal, and Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon, and the Victory Ribbon. After his discharge, Jim accepted employment with the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (ARAMCO) and spent six years working in Saudi Arabia loading oil tanker ships at a port on the Persian Gulf. He was fond of remarking that he loaded thousands of barrels of oil at $1.00 per barrel. During that time he traveled extensively throughout the Middle East and Europe. Upon returning to the United States, Jim attended Fresno State College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business in three years. He then worked for the Internal Revenue Service at several locations in California, completing his career in San Francisco in 1976. Upon retirement, he moved to Reno, Nevada, where he lived until his death. Jim was very well-liked by everyone who knew him. He enjoyed traveling, attending horse races in Santa Anita Raceway, and spending time playing cards and board games with family and friends. Jim is survived by two nephews, Bruce Gering and his wife, Donette of Sioux Falls, and Kenneth Dalke and his wife, Rosella, of Scotts Valley, California, as well as several grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Verona and Helen; a brother, Lester, a niece, Donna Dalke; and a nephew, Richard Gering.