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Nielsen, Gary D.

Gary Dennis Nielsen, Waupaca, WI went to be with his Lord and his loving son, Christopher, on Friday, June 20, 2014 after a courageous battle with cancer. 

Born in Chicago, IL on December 23, 1937, he attended Schubert Grade School and Foreman High School, on Chicago’s northwest side, graduating in January 1955. Gary then attended DeVry Technical Institute where he earned an associate’s degree in engineering. He met and married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Kranz, on July 11, 1959 in Chicago, IL. Gary served with the Illinois Air National Guard for six years. He was a sales representative selling industrial and electronic controls for machinery. Gary was able to fix anything, and if he could not fix it, it was broken. He had a strong sense of values and fairness of right or wrong. Gary and his family started coming to the Chain O’ Lakes in Waupaca, WI in 1949. They finally purchased a home on the Chain in 1992, with Gary retiring in 2006. He loved to fish and to watch the beautiful sunsets from his pier on Rainbow Lake. 

He will be deeply missed by all of his loving family and many friends. Gary will be missed by his wife of 55 years, Sharon Nielsen; his loving daughter, Gail Nielsen; his wonderful son, Greg Nielsen; a grandson, Ryan Nielsen; a caring sister, Carole (Walker) Reach; and a sister-in-law, Wava (Tor) Solvig. He also leaves behind many good friends, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Evelyn (Bethin) Nielsen; his son, Christopher Nielsen; an infant brother, Randall Nielsen; and a sister, Shirley Reach. 

A Celebration of Gary’s Life will be on Monday, June 30, 2014 from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca, WI, followed by a prayer service at 6:00 p.m. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.

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