Elmer Nels Nielsen was born on October 16, 1925 in Luck Township, Wisconsin; the son of Nels J.W. and Ellen (Hansen) Nielsen. He was baptized and confirmed at the Milltown Lutheran Church. On August 7, 1948 he was united in marriage to Lavone Omacht, and to this union three children were born. Elmer's employment started with local trucking in Milltown, Wisconsin. He then went on to work at the Ford Motor Company, Minneapolis Moline, and farmed in Lake Elmo, Minnesota. In 1958 the family moved to Amery, Wisconsin where he started Nielsen Drayline Trucking. If you needed something done, Elmer was the man to call. Elmer was very active in the community. He was on the Lincoln Town Board for 27 years, a member of the Amery Fire Department for many years, a member of First Lutheran Church for 52 years, a Charter member of the Amery Snowmobile Club, Mounted Patrol, Apple River RV Club, and the Dallas Saddle Club. Elmer passed away on Friday, July 2, 2010 at his home from heart failure at the age of 84. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Norman Nielsen; and sister, Violet Wilson. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 62 years, Lavone; three children, Barry Nielsen of Web Lake, WI; Marcia (Mark) Johnson of Amery; Renae Bethell of St. Croix Falls, WI; nine grandchildren, Jeff Nielsen of Amery; Katie (James) McAlpine of St. Michael, MN; Michelle Johnson of Minneapolis; Melinda Johnson of Stillwater; Mitchell Johnson of Granger, IA; Maxwell Johnson of Fairbanks, AK; Cassandra Bethell of Wyoming, MN; Erik Bethell of St. Croix Falls; Alexander Bethell of St. Croix Falls; two great grandchildren, Carter Nielsen, and Samuel McAlpine; as well as sisters, Eleanor Measner of Osceola; Mildred (Pete) Lundquist of Frederic, WI; Helen McKenzie of Vadnais Heights, MN; Florence (George) Weigang of Amery; and a brother Alvin (Janet) Nielsen of Minneapolis as well as nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at the First Lutheran Church in Amery, Wisconsin with Pastor Tim Bjorge officiating. Organist was Julie Selle, and soloist was Eric Peterson. A visitation was held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at the Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery, as well as one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers were Elmer's nine grandchildren. Arrangements were made with the Williamson-White Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Amery, WI