Rodney Helmer Nielsen, 89, Noblesville, died Sept. 22 at Harbour Manor Health and Living. Rodney was born Sept. 13, 1926 in Sault St. Marie, Mich. to Niels Peter and Rachel Ann Minerva Nielsen. He married Corinne Hardin on June 8, 1946, and together they raised six sons and two daughters. They enjoyed indulging their 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Rodney was a proud Marine veteran of WWII. He served as the Orderly to the Captain of the USS Boston in the Pacific theater. In that role, Rodney stood guard duty over two of the Japanese Interpreters who participated in the signing of the surrender papers that ended the war.
Rodney was a Clerk/Telegrapher for the Soo Line Railroad for 38 years. During that time he served as the General Chairman of the Transportation Communications Union for several years. He represented more than 300 fellow workers and testified before Congress on their behalf.
Rodney is survived by his wife, Cody, Noblesville; sons Jerry Nielsen, Charlotte, N.C., Dale (Elaine) Nielsen, Denver, Colo., Daniel Nielsen, Fond du Lac, Wis., Rodney (Lisa) Nielsen, LaPorte, Ind. Timothy (Michele) Nielsen, Memphis, Tenn. and Andrew (Patricia) Nielsen, Bourbonnais, Ill.; daughters Deborah (Tom) Oberts, San Diego, Calif., Rebecca Nielsen, Noblesville; brothers Robert (Beverly) Nielsen, Flint, Mich, Kenneth (Mary) Nielsen, Mt. Morris, Mich.; and sister Ruby (Willard) Easter, Flint, Mich.
He was preceded in death by his parents Peter and Minerva Nielsen, brothers Farrell and Russell Nielsen, sisters Shirley Benoit, Audrey Goetz, Patricia Johns and Lulabelle McConnell and infant daughter Christine Louise.
Visitation for Rodney will be held beginning at Noon Friday, September 25, 2015 at Cumberland Road Christian Church (CRCC), 12625 Cumberland Road, Fishers, Indiana 46038. The services will follow at 1:30 PM. Burial will take place at Union Chapel Cemetery, Indianapolis, IN following the service.
His family would like to express personal thanks to those who cared for him as he battled dementia, especially the caring staff of Harbour Manor, Charmagne, his hospice aide, and their dear family friend, Deborah Kaminski-Bustos who helped him remain in his home for years longer than he may have otherwise.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Missions fund of Cumberland Road Christian Church or to the Lewy Body Dementia Association at lbda.org.
