Terry Nielsen, 71, passed away on May 31st, 2026. He was born on September 1st, 1954, in Minden, Nebraska.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Marilyn Nielsen, and his brother, Gary Nielsen. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sandy; daughter Megan Vander Haar (Jade); son Erik Nielsen (Sarah); grandchildren Zachary and Brody Vander Haar and Kinley and Nolan Nielsen; sister Sharie Hubert (Andy); sister-in-law Mary Nielsen; and many nieces and nephews.

Terry was raised first on the family farm and later in Minden, Nebraska. He was baptized and confirmed at Fredericksburg Lutheran Church and graduated from Minden High School. He continued his education at Midland University in Fremont, where he met his future wife, Sandy, and formed many lifelong friendships. He later attended Wartburg Theological Seminary, where he earned his Master of Divinity degree and prepared for a life of pastoral ministry.

Terry married Sandy on June 3rd, 1978. The couple began married life in Phoenix, Arizona, where Terry served his internship before accepting his first call to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, also known as Soap Creek, in DeWitt, Nebraska. During their 13 years there, they welcomed their children, Megan and Erik, and built enduring relationships within the congregation and community. In 1994, the family moved to Bellevue, Nebraska, where Terry continued his ministry at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Throughout his ministry, Terry was known for his steady faith, compassionate presence, and devotion to caring for others through both hardship and celebration. He especially loved baptisms and the promise of grace they represented. He often reassured those around him with a favorite phrase: “It’ll all work out.”

Terry never lost his love for the farm life that shaped him. He enjoyed gardening, caring for the yard, cooking and grilling, canning his famous dill pickles, and spending time outdoors hunting and fishing. He also loved sports, especially cheering for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Kansas City Royals.

He was a loving husband, brother, son, father, and grandfather who treasured time with his family. His oldest grandson, Zachary, gave him the nickname “T-Pop,” and now all of his grandkids affectionately refer to him by that name.

In later years, Terry built upon his gift of working with kids in an encore career as a paraprofessional at Birchcrest Elementary.

In recent years, Terry lived with frontotemporal dementia, a disease that gradually changed the rhythm of daily life for him and his family. They are deeply grateful for the caregivers, friends, and loved ones who walked alongside them with prayer, compassion, and support.

Memorials may be directed to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) to support continued research. Terry’s memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation: Thursday, June 4, 2026, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran Church, 104 Galvin Road North, Bellevue, NE 68005.

Memorial Service: Friday, June 5, 2026, 10:30 a.m., Immanuel Lutheran Church, 104 Galvin Road North, Bellevue, NE 68005.

Place of Rest: Saturday, June 6, 2026, 11:00 a.m., St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, DeWitt, Nebraska

Memorials: Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration / www.theaftd.org.

Source: https://www.bellevuefuneralchapel.com/obituaries/Terry-Lee-Nielsen?obId=48563890