Erik Alfred Nielsen, age 87, of La Porte passed away at 5:00 AM on Saturday September 22, 2012 at Brentwood Assisted Living in La Porte.
He was born September 4, 1925 in Chicago, IL to Peter and Amalie Nielsen. His father passed away when he was very young and Erik was raised by William and Amalie (Nielsen) Jensen.
Erik is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Lou (Peters) Nielsen; Children, Mary Lynn Bishop of La Porte, Susan Ann (Kenneth) Pahs of Wanatah, and Peter William (Mary Kay) Nielsen, and Granddaughter, Ashley Nielsen of La Porte.
He was preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law Robert Bishop.
Erik worked at Allis Chalmers, Pure Oil, Dye Plumbing and Heating, and as a self-employed carpenter and handyman. He loved working, building balsa wood airplanes, playing poker with his friends and also solitaire. He served two years in the army and was part of the Occupation Army in Japan. He was very proud of his Danish heritage and loved visiting with his family in both Middlebury, IN and Denmark. He was a member of Salem Chapel United Methodist Church.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Salem Chapel United Methodist Church on Wednesday September 26, 2012 at 11AM with Rev. Robert Raschka officiating. Burial will follow at Salem Cemetery were full military honors will be conducted.
A visitation will be held at Cutler Funeral Home & Cremation Center on Tuesday September 25, 2012 from 4-8 PM and from 10-11AM prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Memorial contributions may be made to Salem Chapel United Methodist Church.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com