Obituaries: Leonard Keith Nielsen (May 19, 1931 – April 4, 2011)

Leonard Keith Nielsen passed away at age 79 on April 4, 2011, in Crescent City.

Leonard was born on May 19, 1931, in Crescent City, to Melton and Marie Nielsen. 

Leonard attended and graduated from Del Norte High School in Crescent City.

Leonard met the love of his life (Beverly) in San Francisco while he was stationed at the Presidio Army Post. On September 13, 1953, they were married in the post Chapel and shortly after in 1955 moved to Crescent City to live and raise a family. Leonard worked at Nielsen’s Hardware, the family owned business, on the corner of 3rd and I street, until the store was destroyed in the 1964 tsunami. After the tsunami disaster Leonard helped the family to rebuild and reopen the business as Nielsen’s Furniture Store. In 1967 Leonard and Beverly purchased the Sears Catalog Store. Leonard and Beverly, for 24 years, owned and operated the business until their retirement in 1991.

Leonard was a Veteran of the United States Army and served in Korea, a decorated Scout, past Fire Chief of the Del Norte County Volunteer Fire department, member and Past Exalted Ruler of the Crescent City Elks Club #1689, past Del Norte County School Board Member, past member and Board member of the prestigious Knapp Foundation.

Leonard leaves daughter Karen McMillan of Crescent City, son Kevin Nielsen of Dayton, Nev., daughter Kimberlee Lindberg and her fiancé Rawland Swift of Gasquet, son Kris Nielsen of Crescent City; grandchildren Tessa Newman of Crescent City, Shad Scalvini of Cave Junction, Ore., Jessica Lindberg of Rohnert Park, Calif., Ashley Davis and husband Brian of Dayton Nev., Mathew Nielsen of Dayton Nev., Kris Nielsen, Jr. of Crescent City. He also leaves great-grandchildren, Khiya Newman, Sydney Newman. Leonard was preceded in death by his wife Beverly, to whom he had been married for 57 years, his father and mother Melton and Marie Nielsen, and sister Carol Cathy.

Leonard loved life and lived every day of his life to the fullest. Many will remember stories from the summer of 1949 when he and best friend John Frazer, crossed the United States on their trek to New York City, in their bright yellow, 1932 Model A Ford. Leonard greeted everyday and everyone with a smile. He always had a soft kind word for family and friends, Leonard’s kindness and sense of humor will not be forgotten, Leonard appreciated everyone, and everyone appreciated Leonard. Leonard will be deeply missed by all of his friends and family.

A celebration of Life will be at the Elks Lodge at 359 H Street, Crescent City, on May 21, 2011, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the afternoon.

— Submitted by Wier’s Mortuary Chapel