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.

Rodney Helmer Nielsen, 89 of Noblesville, passed into eternal glory with Christ Jesus on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at Harbour Manor Health and Living.  Rodney was born September 13, 1926 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to Niels Peter and Rachel Ann Minerva Nielsen.  He met the love of his life, Corinne (Cody) Hardin of “Ben Davis” Indiana, on May 25, 1946 and married her on June 8, 1946.  Together they raised 6 strong sons and 2 beautiful 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 2 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 over 300 fellow workers and testified before Congress on their behalf.

In the 50’s, Rodney after he began working on the railroad, Rodney enjoyed a “side life” as a gentleman farmer.  His love for animals remained throughout his life.  He loved fishing and hunting, especially with his sons.  He enjoyed a season of sky-diving with his daughter Debbi, in the 70’s and moved on to piloting single and twin engine planes in the 80’s.  Above all, he loved his family and would spare no expense to spend time with them.

Besides choosing to share his life with Cody, Rodney made what he considered the most important decision of his life when he committed his life to Jesus Christ and was baptized on March 22, 1949.  Rodney pursued Christ with his heart and devoted time to reading the word and serving the church.  Rodney loved to worship and often served as song leader in the churches he and his family attended.  He was honored to serve as an Elder of the Jefferson Street Christian Church, Oshkosh, WI for many years.

Rodney is survived by his wife, Cody, Noblesville; Sons – Jerry Nielsen, Charlotte NC; Dale {Elaine} Nielsen, Denver CO; Daniel Nielsen, Fond du Lac, WI; Rodney {Lisa} Nielsen, La Porte, IN; Timothy {Michele} Nielsen, Memphis, TN; and Andrew {Patricia} Nielsen, Bourbonnais, IL; Daughters – Deborah {Tom} Oberts, San Diego, CA; Rebecca Nielsen, Noblesville, IN; Brothers – Robert {Beverly} Nielsen, Flint, MI; Kenneth {Mary} Nielsen, Mt. Morris, MI and Sister Ruby {Willard} Easter also of Flint, MI.  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 our dear family friend Deborah Kaminski-Bustos who helped him remain in his home for years longer than he might 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 (LBDA.org).