Leonard N. Nielsen

Leonard Norman Nielsen, life-long Marysville resident died peacefully Dec 10, 2011 surrounded by his family. He was born February 22, 1922 (2/22/22) to Lottie and Axel Nielsen. He graduated from Marysville High School in 1940. He served in the Navy during World War II as a cook on a troop transport. One of his favorite memories of the war was the time he spent in Australia. After the war he worked in Alaska for the commercial fishing industry. In 1953 he married Shirley Mae Thoresen, also a Marysville resident. Leonard worked as a skilled carpenter for many years building homes, including the current family home he lived in for the last 45 years. He retired from the Nord Door Company in Everett in 1982. Shirley and Leonard owned and operated the Marysville Driving Range from 1962 until 1977. He was an accomplished artist, loved gardening in his back-yard, enjoyed making handicrafts, and was an avid woodcarver. Leonard was also a longtime member of the Marysville United Methodist Church and the Marysville Historical Society.

Leonard and Shirley recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. They enjoyed many years together of family dinners, trips in their motor home with the grandchildren and together they took a nostalgic return visit for him to Australia and New Zealand.

Leonard is survived by his wife Shirley, daughter Gayle (Dennis) Holland; son Doug (Debbie) Williams, and son Marc (Carmen) Nielsen. Grandchildren Cheri (Ray) Hansen, Shannon (Tom) Kotke; Scott (Liz), Chad (Michelle) and Craig Williams; Sarah, Bethany and Josiah Nielsen; Ashley (Trevor) Ashford; Jason (Tamara) Holland, and 11 great-grandchildren.

Leonard considered Carmen to be more than a daughter-in-law. We are truly grateful for the love, care, compassion, and tenderness she provided as his care giver.

We would also like to thank Hospice for their compassionate care.

A memorial service will be held Saturday 12/17/2011 at 2pm at Marysville United Methodist Church 5600 64th Street Northeast Marysville, WA 98270