Clyde J. Nelsen, 81

Volunteered as Tangier Shriner Clown

Clyde J. Nelsen, 81, died Friday, Dec. 23, 2011, at Crowell Memorial Home after battling diabetes and Parkinson's disease.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, at Campbell-Aman Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Kennard cemetery.

Visitation will begin Wednesday, Dec. 28, at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m.

Clyde J. Nelsen was born April 7, 1930, in Fontanelle, Iowa, to Clyde G. and Mae (Carlson) Nelsen. He retired after 20 years of serving his country in the U.S. Navy. While serving in the Navy, he was a member of the Hurricane Hunters.

As an insurance salesman, he raised his family in Fort Calhoun. Most recently, he and his wife resided in Kennard.

During his life, he was a member of the Mason Rite and VFW Post No. 5637. Many will remember Mr. Nelsen as one of the clowns supporting the mission of the Tangier Shriners, his love for hunting and fishing, and storytelling.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Wanda (Hutchins) Nelsen; son and daughter-in-law George Clinton and Stefanie Nelsen of Omaha; daughters and son-in-law, Aline and Dave Ensz of Studio City, Calif., and Debra Springborg of Sheridan, Wyo.; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Tangier Shriners.