Timothy "Tim" Chris Nielsen

Tim Nielsen, our wonderful husband, brother, uncle and friend, passed away surrounded by loved ones on January 9, 2024, after a long, courageous journey with cancer. He was 72. Born in Sioux Falls, SD, Tim was the youngest of four siblings. He was born into a family who loved neighborhood sports, from driveway basketball to vacant lot baseball. Tim graduated from Washington High School where he was a gifted athlete, excelling as a starting halfback on the football team and a starting guard on the basketball team. His academics led him to be selected to attend Boys State, in Aberdeen, SD. He earned a degree in social work from Anderson College in Indiana and began a career of public service, working in the juvenile justice system and then with the American Red Cross for a decade. He became the youngest Red Cross Division Director at that time. In 1978, he moved to Portland, Oregon. For 25 years, he worked for the Housing Authority of Clackamas County, helping countless low-income, elderly and disabled individuals and families. Even in retirement, he continued his public service, as a volunteer with the Tigard Library and the SMART Reading program, where he helped young children learn to read. In his youth, he fell in love with guitar and singing, a passion that continued throughout his life. As a child, he sang in church with his dad and his brothers as the Nielsen quartet. When he got older, he sang at numerous weddings and events, travelled with a college singing group, attended concerts and music festivals, and enjoyed playing music with local friends. In 2001, he married the love of his life, Enid Myers, who shared his love of music, travel, the great outdoors, adventure and laughter. Tim also enjoyed studying history and was an avid reader and lifelong learner. He was beloved by all who knew him and known for his warm smile, sly humor and love of life. He was preceded in death by his brother Jeffrey Nielsen and parents Clint and Eris (McGriff) Nielsen. He is survived by his wife, Enid; brother Terry (Linda) Nielsen of Sioux Falls, SD; sister Judy (Kevin) Johansen of Sioux Falls, SD and Estero, Fl; sister-in-law Adele Nielsen of Littleton, CO; in-laws Doug and Lynne Myers of Sisters, OR and Eric Myers of Las Vegas, NV; and numerous much-loved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews who adored their Uncle Tim. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 10 at Skyline Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home, 4101 NW Skyline Blvd., Portland, OR, 97229. Remembrances may be made online, by mail or by phone to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: lls.org/ways-to-give, LLS Donor Services P.O. Box 22324, New York, NY 10087, 888-557-7177. Request from Tim: “As I spent as much time as I could in my most comfortable clothes, I would ask that anyone choosing to attend dress in their favorite comfortable clothes. If you absolutely have to wear a tie, you can still come. 😊”