I just came across your Dad’s obituary and had to take a minute to tell you how much I enjoyed his visits. He and your Mom were clients of mine for years. The conversation was always lively and focused on the Hawkeyes and his grandchildren. I knew I could count on a piece of candy before he left. What a great guy who will be sorely missed.

Mike Messier

Uncle Roger was an energetic, kind, and generous man. He lit up the room with his warm, light-hearted spirit! Roger lived life to the fullest and was an inspiration to many. He was a dedicated and loving family man. Uncle Roger always had sugared, fruit slices to sneak to the kids.

Jeff, Brooke, Morgan and family-

Please accept my sincere sympathy on the loss of such a great man in your lives. I see he was an educator, so I know his positive influence impacted many, many individuals. Your lives are richer, too, for the legacy he imparted.

Dave Bousfield ( a.k.a. Mr. B)

Please accept our sincere condolences in Roger’s passing. I remember him from the many years the Forrest Family spent

In Denison. I have only fond memories of working with Roger as he served the needs of the Students in the Denison School

system. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and May perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful

Departed thru the mercy of God......rest in peace.

Deacon Ron Forrest

Sioux City, Ia

We’ll miss our good neighbor, Roger. Since we only knew him in retirement, we learned of his teaching and coaching career through his treasured stories. He was so proud of the many medals he won in the Senior Iowa Games. Ann and Jim Wells

I was saddened to hear about Roger's passing, I will remember him always. Roger was my Basketball, Tennis and Cross Country coach while I attended Midwestern College from 1965, graduating in 1969. Coach awarded me a scholarship so I was able to attend college. Many great memories of Denison, Iowa and having Tacco's and Pepsi at the Nielsen residence. THAKYOU Coach Nielsen and Mrs. Nielsen for keeping our uniforms clean for the next game....all washed and pressed in the Nielsen basement.

Tom Janata

We send our sympathy to Roger's sister and his family. Roger and Barbara were our neighbors when they moved to Iowa City and we loved them dearly. Both were great people, so kind and friendly. It was fun to learn that he coached in Dennison with my Uncle Curley Brack and more fun when the two could visit. Roger was an all around good guy. May he rest in peace.

I had Mr. Nielsen as a pe teacher in 1987-1990 great guy always was a great listener when we needed to vent!!! Your family is in my prayers

Our thoughts and prayers to Coach’s family. To be forever known as “coach” defines how great he was to so many. He had a positive impact on everyone who were blessed to have crossed paths with him. He had a very respected and direct approach. I can’t imagine the number of hours he dedicated to the youth in Denison, but I’m very grateful that he did. Rest In Peace.

So sad to hear of Coach's passing. Some of my greatest memories as a kid were up at the ball diamond where he taught so many kids how to play softball. He truly loved to the game but more importantly the kids. He made sure everyone got an equal opportunity to fall in love with the sport. He was always so encouraging. It was an honor to have known him.

Following his 1980something little league pitch and hard hit to me at second base, I caught the ball . . . JENNY he exclaimed with his hand held HIGH. Never had the heart to tell him it was mere luck, my softball mitt just happened to be at the right place at the right time. He probably knew this. Great man.

Jeff, Scott and Families,

I am one of countless former Denison people helped shaped by your dad. I had my 35 year class reunion in 2019 and we shared stories of Coach Nielsen when we toured the middle school.

You didn’t want to forget your gym socks for his gym class since he would give you a pair for class but they would be men’s dress socks, often one brown and the other black. Count it as a lesson learned. Decades later when one of my sons would forget something I would share that story with them so they would be more mindful of their gear for an upcoming athletic event.

And I think of him in the hot summer sun getting the field ready and then pitching in youth baseball every day. All the while molding young lives.

Or working the scorer’s table for years and years for basketball games. He truly left a mark on Denison through the people he impacted and the example he set. Discipline, hard work, service and devotion are words that come to mind when I think of Coach Nielsen all these years later.

I am truly sorry for your loss but am so thankful for him! Bless you all.

I am really sad to hear this. My best memories of Coach was those dusty summers at the Little League field playing ball at age 8. He was the best coach... encouraging but firm. Man did I love those games. Also as a middle school gym teacher. I think he got a kick out of our reaction to the square dancing section of class..haha. I really thought the world of him..

When I was a young first year teacher, I was kind of scared of Roger until I saw him laugh. I enjoyed being his friend all the years after. Larry Peterson

I am very sad to hear the passing of Coach Nielsen, when I became the AD at Denison High School one of the best people to guide me was Coach, he Coached tennis and was a master at it! He also worked the bench for us in basketball, he was outstanding official's always complimented him for his work. Coach was also the middle school Athletic Director, again always had the students first.

As outstanding as he was in Athletics he was an outstanding citizen and parent, he and Barb, with children Jeff and Scott were a wonderful family.

I will always be thankful Roger Nielsen was at Denison during the time I was in Denison, thank you my great friend RIP.

Chuck VanHecke

Coach Nielsen was such a wonderful person. I was lucky enough to work for him, teaching young kids baseball. Coach had the quickest hands with lines drives hit at him. He was respected by anyone who met him. A true treasure for the Denison community. Thank you for having a positive impact on my life and so many others. Rest In Peace Coach. My condolences to the Nielsen family.

So many good memories of Mr. Nielsen in many different capacities. He pitched many balls to me at little girls softball -- think I have a picture of him and I somewhere in my files. While he was athletic director, he taught me to run the scoreboard and had me operate it for many a game (unlimited candy included). I also babysat for Jeff and Scott, which I doubt they remember. My favorite memory is watching Roger and my dad play tennis doubles -- they were both excellent players and complimented each other on the court. I thought they were champions of the world. I'm grateful for having known him and having him be a part of my childhood. May his families memories of him bring them as much joy as my memories of him bring me. Karen Miller Christiansen

Jeff, Scott, and all of the Nielsen family, my heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your Dad/Grandpa. Coach was one of my favorite teachers in Middle School. I especially loved having the intramural sports and activities he had in the evenings. He worked so well with students. May he rest in peace, and perpetual light shine upon him.

Mr Neilson was one of the great coaches and mentors ever in Denison. I remember watching him blow his nose in his hanky right before a ground ball bloodied my nose. He pulled it out and rubbed it all over my face. Lol. On behalf of all the kids he impacted in his life I'd like to say thank you to a great man. God bless. You will be missed - chris koch

Jeff, Scott, Bev,and family...

Coach was a long time mentor and friend of mine since 1965. One could not ask for a better friend in life then Coach. He and Barb were two of the Best people you could ever meet. He inspired so many young people he came in contact with over the years. The fun times we shared over the years are too many to mention... but Coach Nielsen was one person I always looked up to, and honestly treasured his friendship through these many years. Coach "made a difference" for sure...and will be greatly missed. So sorry for your loss.

Bill Wright

Jeff and Scott and the Nielsen Family,

I am so sorry to hear of Coach's passing today. I don't think I can effectively put into words what a great friend he was to the Wright family. Coach was such a positive role model in my own life and he made a huge impact on our family as I know he did for so many other people in this world. I have so many memories but my favorite memories include always having candy in his pocket for kids when he crossed their paths, your apple tree in the backyard in Denison, giving me first job with Denison Parks & Recreation, hiring me to teach tennis in Denison, playing in his City tennis tournaments, taco nights with our families and the Rydberg and Frankens, and the trips to Iowa City to meet him at Carlos O'Kelly's. Coach was there with my Dad when I broke my leg in 8th grade football and I will never forget the confidence he instilled in me during 7th grade basketball. What a great friend he was and a special human being. He will be missed greatly and my sympathies to your family. Bill Wright (Jr.)

I am truly saddened to learn of the passing of a great man. Coach was a huge influence in my life from elementary school through high school, as well as hundreds of others student athletes. He will surely be missed by many. God bless Coach and all his family

I'm so sorry for your loss. Mr. Nielson was an amazing coach and so inspiring!! He made all my sports so much fun while growing up in Denison. He is truly going to be missed!!! God bless!!!