Donald F Nissen

Donald Friies Nissen age 83passed away Monday May 20,2013,at his Hammond, home, at his side was wife Barbara of over 47 years and three of his daughters, Don was born February 19.1930 in Brayton, IA, his parents Leonard & Carolyn Nissen were farmers ,so farming was a part of his early life, he attended Iowa grade schools ,was a member of the Exira Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church of Exira, IA ,he was confirmed ,took his first communion there April 8,1945, he joined the U.S. Air Force December 1951 and served faithfully till November 30.1955.Don is survived by a large loving family Daughter Melinda (Tom) Sautomeiei of Chesapeake, VA ,son Gary Wayne (Kathy) Nissen of Largo, FL; step-daughters Gini & Lynda Hufnagel at home, Lori (John) Young of Auburn Hills, MI, cherished grandfather of Steven Santomeiri of VA, Jamie Nissen of FL, Shannon (Eric) Spreitzer of FL ,Andrew Young, of Indiana, Amy (Bruce) Thompson of MI, Johnathon Young of MI, Seth (Pepper) Young& Ellen young of MI, seven great-grandchildren Evan J, Lincoln R, Emma, Lily Bethany, Abigail, Charlotte. Layla, one brother Darwin (Connie) Nissen of Hamlin, IA, special nephew Mark(Sandy) Nissen of Audubon, IA, nieces Diane (Jeff) Munch, Susie 9Ron) Soll, Debbie(Scott) Peppers, Zack all of IA, many great nieces from IA, and southern Indiana, also special foster ones Kathy, Randy, Freddie; preceded in death by his parents Caroline and Leonard Nissen, of Exira IA, one sister Juline Rubel of Exira IA, stepson Michael Joe Hufnagel (16) of Hammond, Funeral services will be held Thursday May 23,2013 ;10AM at Kuiper Funeral Home (9039 Kleinman Rd (two blocks south of Ridge Rd) Highland, IN, Pastor Brian Jones from The Griffith Free Methodist Church, assisted by Pastor Amy Thompson granddaughter from MI. Burial will follow at Chapel Lawn Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday from 3 to 8 pm at the funeral home. Even though Don was raised on a farm in Iowa his love for carpentry and building things all started in his child hood with building what- not’s for his mother, his ability and knowledge was amazing including construction of all kinds, included building 10 grandfather clocks from walnut trees grown on the Iowa farm, a licensed, bonded, insured contractor” Dons Construction”, he was able to complete 50 years in the work he loved