Stephen Nielsen

Stephen "Steve" Nielsen, 84, of Wilmot, SD, passed away on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at Wilmot Care Center in Wilmot. 

Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 26, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Wilmot Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 25, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Wilmot Lutheran Church and will continue on Monday, one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the Wilmot Cemetery.

The service will be livestreamed, recorded, and viewable below this obituary.

Stephen Lee Nielsen was born on November 30, 1939, in Graceville, MN. He was the oldest son of Loren and Edith (Darrington) Nielsen. Steve was raised in Wilmot where he was baptized and later confirmed in the Wilmot Lutheran Church. He attended and graduated from Wilmot High School with the Class of ‘57. He furthered his education by completing the mechanics/diesel program in Wahpeton, ND. 

After completing school, he went to work for Christianson, Inc. He was told he was being drafted, so he enlisted in the Navy. He spent the next three years serving his country working on plane engines. He returned to Christianson’s where he worked until the day he locked the doors behind him when he retired. Upon returning to Wilmot, he met Barbara and knew he found the love of his life. They were married on July 17, 1966. The couple made Wilmot their home and were blessed with two daughters. 

Along with being a loving husband and father, Steve was very active in the community. Some of the positions he held were Fire Chief, Legion Commander and Legion Treasurer. He believed that children are the future and we should help them any way we can. Faith played a big part of Steve’s life. He was an active member of Wilmot Lutheran Church where he was Church Council President, Sunday School Teacher, and loved to sing.  

Through the years, Steve enjoyed traveling, camping, restoring IH tractors, and reading. Some of his favorite memories were of the times he spent with family and friends. 

Steve was called home to the arms of our loving Savior at age 84. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; daughter, Tami (Nielsen) Vollrath; son-in-law, Jake Eggert; parents: Loren and Edith Nielsen; brother, Lance Nielsen; sister, Dorothy (Nielsen) Keith; father-in-law and mother-in-law: MG & Ella Farrington; and brother-in-law, Rick Farrington. Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Stacey (Nielsen) Eggert; son-in-law, Brian Vollrath; brother, James (Viv) Nielsen; brother, Russell Nielsen; sister, Rosie (Dale) Peery; sister-in-law, Barb Nielsen; sister-in-law, Linda Farrington; sister-in-law, Pat Farrington; and numerous nieces and nephews.