Victor Nielsen

(From Knell Mortuary)

Victor Nielsen, of Carthage, Missouri passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of December 28th, he was 91 years old.

Victor was born on February 1st, 1924 in Marathon, Wisconsin to Christina and Jacob Nielsen of Copenhagen, Denmark. As a child, he, his three sisters Betty, Anne, Alfrieda and his brothers John, Alfred, Louie, Axel, Carl and Albert worked the dairy farm his parents owned. At fifteen years old Victor left Wisconsin to live with his older sister Alfrieda in Chicago. He joined the US Navy during World War II and became an Electrician’s Mate. His tour of duty took him around the world. While stationed in Southern England, the German Luftwaffe attacked his base. He injured his leg, which became ensnared in barbed wire, while running for cover during the bombing raid. Later, he helped make electrical repairs to the USS Missouri; just days before General MacArthur accepted the Japanese surrender on the very same ship. He finished his military service in Maryland where his daughter Valerie was born to his first wife Margaret Eastaway whom he had met while on leave in England.

Victor, Margaret and Valerie moved to California in 1948 and settled down in Manhattan Beach. Victor took a job at Inland Steel where he would work the remainder of his professional life. He became one of their chief Mechanists and made many important machines which were used to produce an assortment of steel based products. He separated and eventually divorced Margaret in the early 1950’s. He met the woman who would be the love of his life Mary Lou Yoes not long after. She, her son Kary, Victor and Valerie moved to Redondo Beach where they would live for many years.

Victor was an avid fisherman. He spent much time on his boat, motoring to Catalina on the weekends and fishing the nearby banks and reefs. He also loved camping and would frequent the various lakes around Southern California, fishing for bass. Being the talented mechanic he was, one year he worked with Kary on re-building a 57’ Chevy, a memory Kary holds dear to this day. In 1981 Victor moved he and Mary to his daughter Valerie’s avocado farm in the De Luz area of Riverside County, California. Being a talented carpenter, he built a beautiful two-story ranch house a garage and barn from the ground up with a couple helpers and his own two hands. He lived on the farm and managed production of its 60 acres of groves for over six years. Their grandkids would visit frequently and he would get much enjoyment hiking the land with them. He would fearlessly take on the local rattlesnake population when one would cross his path. He kept a jar of rattles, like an athlete keeps trophies, on a shelf in his living room. In the late eighties he and Mary decided it was time to move on. They packed their things and headed home to Mary’s hometown of Carthage, Missouri where she was born and raised. They spent the next twenty years hosting their friends and family, fishing Stockton and Grand Lakes and camping with the ones they held most dear to them. After 55 years of wonderful marriage, Mary passed away. The last few years Victor did his best to keep his spirits high. He met his great grandchildren who he took to Kellogg Lake. He helped each one of them reel in their first fish.

Victor lived a long and a good life. He will be sorely missed by the ones who loved him best. He is preceded in death by his wife Mary, his daughter Valerie, and every one of his brothers and sisters. He is survived by his son Kary, his daughter in law Beth, his grand children Kory, Danielle, Robert and Alexandra and his great grand children Dylan, Sasha, Jasper, Carter Reed, Kennedy, Sophie, Hudson, Paxton and Harper.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 3, 2015 from 3:00-4:00 PM in the Knell Mortuary Chapel. A graveside service will be held Monday, January 4, 2015 at 10:00 AM in Park Cemetery, Carthage. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.