Roger ValJean Nielsen

HAZELTON- Roger ValJean Nielsen, 75, passed away on Sunday, July 20, 2008 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He died in his home in Hazelton, surrounded by his loving family. Roger was born on September 15, 1932 in Battle Creek, Iowa to Theodore J. and Martha (Lemberg) Nielsen. He was raised on a farm and graduated form Battle Creek High School in 1950. He married Nilva Ann Hinrichs on June 24, 1951, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Ida Grove, Iowa. For several years Roger worked the family farm, where the couple's three children, David, Douglas and Valerie were born. The family resettled in Covina, CA after a drought forced them to leave their Iowa farm. Roger started as a clerk and was later promoted to supervisor at ThriftyMart Supermarket. During their years in California, Roger and Ann were avid square dancers. In 1973, Roger and Ann purchased forty acres in Hazelton, ID where the couple has lived for the past 35 years. Roger worked for Keystone Seed (later purchased by Sun Seeds). When a fire closed the Sun Seeds plant, Roger became a manager at Moore Warehouse in Hansen, where he worked until he retired. Roger spent his leisure time golfing and was a member of the Idaho Couples Golf Association. He an Ann also traveled extensively taking six Caribbean Cruises with dear friends Don and Marilyn McBride, as well as traversing Alaska and Canada on a six-week trip in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary. They also enjoyed many winter months with friends in Yuma, AZ. Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Martha Nielsen; sister, Shirley Reitz and brother-in-law, Irv Reitz. Roger is survived by his wife, Ann Nielsen, Hazelton; sons, David (Jennie) Nielsen, Boise, ID; Douglas (Laurie) Nielsen, Atascadero, CA; daughter, Valerie (Phil) Conklin, Henderson, NV; ten grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, with one on the way and his beloved dog Yo-Yo. Roger was a loving husband, father, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be greatly missed by family and friends. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Luke's Home Care and Hospice or The American Cancer Society. The funeral will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July, 23, 2008 with visitation 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls.