Thomas James Neilsen, age 86 of Paxton, passed away Friday February 23, 2018 at Great Plains Health.
Tom was born November 11, 1931 in North Platte to Thomas and Ruth Mae (Peterson) Neilsen. He grew up in the area, attending school and graduating from Sutherland High School with the class of 1949. He joined the US Army and served from 1952 to 1954. In March of 1956 he wrote a letter to Rosalin Violet Lunkwitz, asking her on a date. At first she turned him down, but then reconsidered with her mother's encouragement. Tom proposed in June and she said no because she was caring for her mother; Tom persisted by saying her mother could live with them. They were married on August 19, 1956! To their union they welcomed Thomas, Craig, Mike, Mitch, Frank, Kevin, Brian and Brad. He was a meat cutter for Safeway for 36 years and then completed PMA training to become a pastor. At the time of his death Tom was the pastor of Newlife Lutheran LCMC in Paxton. He also conducted church services once a month at the Sutherland Care Center. He was all about his faith, family, and his country. He had a ranch and a small cattle herd and enjoyed working in his shop building greenhouses for Rosie's vegetable seeds.
Tom is survived by his wife Rosalin of Paxton; children Thomas (Cheryl) Neilsen of Parker, CO, Mike (Susanne) Neilsen of Lawrence, KS, Mitch (Rebecca) Neilsen of Wamego, KS, Frank (Brenda) Neilsen of Raton, NM, Kevin (Dixie) Neilsen of Ogallala, Brian (Jan) Neilsen of Paxton, and Brad (LeighAnn) Neilsen of Wiley, CO; 21 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; sister Alice Ratzlaff; as well as other extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father in-law; son Craig in 1962; infant granddaughter Katlyn Neilsen; granddaughter Nicole Neilsen; and brother Frank Neilsen.
Memorials are suggested to the Paxton Newlife Church or the Cancer Research Center of Omaha and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 1, 2018 at 10:30 A.M. Mountain Time at the Paxton United Methodist church with P.M.A.'s Lawrence Wendelin and Brent Block officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery near Sutherland with military honors. Visitation will be from noon until 8:00 P.M. Central Time, Wednesday, February 28, with family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.