Wayne Nielsen

Wayne A. Nielsen, 80, Greenwood, passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Greenwood. Rev. Elizabeth Bier will officiate, and burial will follow in the Greenwood City Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Dylan Nielsen, Derek Nielsen, Zachary Johnson, Kody Johnson, Luke Ossmann, John Bestul, Korey Bushman, and Kris Bushman. Military rites will be conducted by the Greenwood American Legion Post #238. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday, Sept. 4, from 5-8 p.m., and again on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.

Wayne Alfred Nielsen was born on Aug. 10, 1945, in Beaver Dam, to Aage A. and Lilian C. (Endres) Nielsen. In May 1948, his parents purchased a farm in the town of Eaton, where he grew up and was educated, graduating from Greenwood High School in 1963. Wayne enlisted into the Army National Guard and served from 1965 to 1971. He was united in marriage to Diane E. Olson on Sept. 26, 1970, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Greenwood. He eventually took over the operation of the family farm, and was a farmer his whole life.

Wayne was a lifelong member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, where he served on the church council, and was captain of the dart ball team for 25 years. He also served on the Greenwood Milk Products board at the time of the merger with Land O’Lakes.

He had many interests, but especially loved spending time with his family, hunting, camping, traveling to Mexico, watching birds, making wine, snowmobiling, water skiing, playing softball, and bowling when he was younger.

Wayne will be dearly missed by his wife of 54 years, Diane, of Greenwood; his three children: Andrew (Missy) of Greenwood, Dana Johnson (Pat Meyer) of Loyal, and Ryan of Ladysmith; five grandchildren: Derek Nielsen, Dylan Nielsen, Zachary (Leah) Johnson, Laikyn Johnson (Luke Ossmann), and Kody Johnson; one sister: Sharon (Edward) Bushman of Hayward; and nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Aage and Lilian Nielsen; his brother, Roger Nielsen; and sister-in-law, Alice Nielsen; his mother and father-in-law, Dan and Alice Olson; and one brother-in-law, Jerry Olson.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com. Cuddie Funeral Home of Greenwood is assisting the family with arrangements.

PAID OBITUARY 173535