Earl Darrell Nielsen, 94

Earl Darrell Nielsen, age 94, passed away at home on the farm surrounded by his family on December 2, 2024. Earl was born on April 29, 1930 in Albert Lea, MN to Laura (Andersen) and Kristin Nielsen. The youngest of nine children, he was known as Laura’s little angel. Earl attended the Itasca country school (near Albert Lea) through the eighth grade. After school he worked various jobs around the area and then went to Chicago where he worked at Beauty Rest Mattress Company and Emery wheel. He also worked as a machinist at a screw factory.

In 1949, he enlisted in the army where he was stationed in Guam as a machinist during the Korean war. He met his beloved wife Gertie through mutual friends at Todd Park in Austin. They were married on June 10, 1952, three months before Earl was honorably discharged from the service.

Earl started farming in 1954 in the Albert Lea area and eventually purchased the farm near Oakland, where he farmed the rest of his life. He milked cows, which he affectionately referred to as “his girls” until 1991 and raised corn and soybeans through 2024. Earl loved farming, especially hauling loads and driving the combine. Earl could fix anything! He saw many changes over the years in farming where he started out with horses and ended with air-conditioned, auto-steer tractors.

Earl was an active member of the Gideons for over 30 years. He was always quick to hand out a New Testament Bible and share the good news about Jesus. You could find him at the Freeborn County Fair working the booth.

Earl and Gertie enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Alaska, Panama, the Holy Lands and all over the continental United States.

He was preceded in death by his wife Gertie in 2017, his parents and all his siblings. He is survived by his children Karen (Mark) Bangert, Jim Nielsen, Wayne (Karen) Nielsen, Dan (Karla) Nielsen as well as his grandchildren Jackie Bangert, Jake (Carrie) Bangert, Cody (Kamyn) Nielsen, Shelby Nielsen, Cole (Brittney) Nielsen, Jordan Nielsen and Lauren Nielsen. He also had five great-grandsons and three great-granddaughters.

A funeral service will be held at 1:30PM on Monday, December 9, 2024, at Bonnerup Funeral & Cremation Services in Albert Lea, Minnesota. Pastor Kevin Binkley will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at the funeral home and again one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery, Albert Lea.