Harlan E. Nilsen

Harlan Nilsen, 78 Kearney resident Harlan Eugene Nilsen, 78 of Kearney went home to be with Jesus on February 11, 2018 after a long, valiant fight with prostate cancer. Memorial services will be 10:30 am Thursday at the First Lutheran Church of Kearney. The Revs. Rick and Michelle Carlson will officiate. Interment will follow at the Kearney Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Church or the American Cancer Society. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services. Born on February 10, 1940 to Philip and Ida (Rathjen) Nilsen of rural Hazard, NE he was baptized and confirmed his faith in Christ at Faith Lutheran Church in Hazard, NE. Harlan graduated from Litchfield High School in 1957, and attended Augustana Lutheran College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. While at college, he met and married Mardella (Flick) on May 23, 1959. They made their home in Sioux Falls, and later in Mitchell, South Dakota. Accepting a position as manager of Campbell’s Supply farm store brought Harlan and Mardella to Madison, South Dakota where they raised their three children. During his work life, Harlan was also a manager for Farmers Union Co-op and later a salesman at Kearney International. Harlan enjoyed numerous activities throughout his lifetime, including motorcycle hill-climbing, stock car racing, flying, woodworking, hunting, fishing and wood carving. He won many awards for his wines and craft beers, handing down his secret formulas to his grandson, Daniel. No matter where he called home, Harlan always sang tenor in the church choir. He was an active member of the 1733 Barbershop Choir here in Kearney. Harlan is preceded in death by his parents, an infant nephew and two infant great-nephews. He is remembered and missed by his wife, Mardella, daughter Valerie of Fremont, NE, son Craig and wife Marcia of Robins, IA, daughter, Stephanie of Fremont, NE, grandsons Stephen of Cedar Rapids, IA and Daniel and wife Betsy of Ankeny, IA, brother Arnold and wife Yvonne of rural Hazard, NE, sister Audrey and husband Bob of Nickerson, NE, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Harlan also leaves behind many close friends and neighbors including the Blinde’s, Kelley’s and Shafer’s.

Harlan E. Nilsen

February 10, 1940 - February 11, 2018