Alvin Nissen

Alvin Herman Nissen...

was born on August 12, 1928, to Edward and Clara (Bose) Nissen in Pipestone, Minnesota. He attended school in Verdi, graduating from high school there. He grew up on the family farm near Holland in Fountain Prairie Township. This same farm was his home and farming was his passion his entire life. Alvin was united in marriage to Deloris Heyl and this union was blessed with six children. He was then united in marriage to Joyce Miller and that union was blessed with one daughter. He was later married to Dorothy Schultz. Throughout his life, Alvin was a member of St. James Lutheran Church where he was also a past President of the congregation. He was also the Treasurer of the Fountain Prairie Township for over 40 years. Alvin passed away at his home on Tuesday, October 24, 2017, at the age of 89 years, two months, and 12 days.

Alvin was a very athletic person. Whether it was playing baseball as a younger person on the Holland community team or just watching sports on TV. He could always hit the ball from the barn all the way into the corn field. He could still outrun his kids well into his 40s and 50s. He always won at pool, cards, croquet, badminton, or any other sport he would take up. He enjoyed going outdoors not just to play ball or farm, but also liked fishing and hunting. He brought up many a child and grandchild to be competitive, especially at pinochle; from the moment family members awoke at the house they were looking for a set of four people who could play a hand. Alvin loved watching his grandkids play sports. In his earlier years, he loved to dance at street dances and later on, acquired a love of polka dancing. Alvin was a generous, hardworking, and in his later years, excellent care-giver.

Alvin is lovingly remembered by his children, Kathy (Steve) Goodrich of Mesa, Arizona, Daniel (Linda) Nissen of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Douglas (Colleen) Nissen of Colorado Springs, Kristin (Matt) Bradley of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, Nancy (Brent) Stauffer of Buffalo, Minnesota; three step children, Joe (Kathy) Miller of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, Barb McCarthy of Tempe, Arizona, and David (Dolly) Miller of Colorado Springs; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; his beloved extended Schultz and Hansen families; and a special friend, Janice Hansen. He was preceded in death by his parents; three wives, Delores, Joyce, and Dorothy; one son, Mark; one daughter, Susan; one brother, Ervin Nissen; and his sister, Evelyn Raschke.