Roland R Nielson (April 11, 1931 - October 18, 2010) Roland R. Nielson, 79, of Redfield

Roland R Nielson (April 11, 1931 - October 18, 2010) Roland R. Nielson, 79, of Redfield, SD, died Monday, October 18, 2010 at Community Memorial Hospital in Redfield. His funeral will be Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Redfield. Reverend Stephen Perry will officiate. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery with military rites. Visitation will be Friday from 1-8:00 p.m. with the family present from 5- 7:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Roland “Rollie” Nielson was born on the family farm southwest of Woonsocket, SD to Jens and Olive (Miller) Nielson on April 11, 1931. He was the youngest of five children.

While attending Huron College he decided to try the sport of football which was something that Lane High School did not have. He lettered in football as a freshman. He continued to work at the game and received all conference honors at the guard position in his junior and senior years.

Upon his graduation from college in 1953, he enrolled in the United States Army. He spent two years from 1953-1955 in Japan. He was in a heavy weapon company and his job was in a mortar platoon. He was honorably discharged in 1955. Upon his discharge, he enrolled at the University of Nebraska. He graduated in 1957 with a Master’s Degree.

Rollie began his teaching career in 1957 and taught until he retired in 1999. He started his career at Niobrara and Creighton, Nebraska before moving to Redfield in 1961. A huge accomplishment for him was starting the Guidance Program at Redfield High School. He was a thirty-eight year member of the South Dakota Education Association.

During his tenure at Redfield, he met and married his wife Nancy Kono. They were married in 1968 and they had three daughters: Anissa, Anita and Beth.

Rollie was certified to teach many subjects including world history, biology, psychology and sociology. The entire school knew it was test day in one of those areas when you saw him in a suit and tie! Who can forget the “rules” of his classroom? His favorite rule was “no gum chewing” or early morning detention was given. Rollie had an impact on many students’ lives over his teaching career. Many have shared personal stories on how he touched their personal lives both on and off the field. The basic lessons of hard work and discipline resound through these stories. He instilled dedication and determination in order to achieve personal goals.

Team sports were his forte as Rollie coached for 31 years. He assisted Coach Ken Greeno in football before becoming the head football coach. Rollie’s teams won 4 Northeast Conference football titles and he had an undefeated season. Rollie was also a coach for several track and boys basketball teams. Rollie received a 25 year plaque from the South Dakota High School Activities Association and this past spring was honored at Redfield Relays for his continued support of the Redfield athletic programs.

Rollie was actively involved in the Redfield American Legion. He would help serve lunches, play bingo, or take tickets at Legion games. He was very patriotic and taught his girls to be patriotic from an early age. He believed strongly in good citizenship.

Rollie was an active member if the Redfield Methodist Church. He served on many different committees and was an usher for many years.

He was also a huge fan of the Cleveland Browns football team and Cleveland Indians baseball teams. He dreamed of watching the Browns from the infamous “Dawg Pound”. Rollie is survived by his wife Nancy of Redfield; daughters: Anissa (Raymond) Stange of Stratford; Anita Nielson of Aberdeen and Beth Nielson of Washington, DC; brother Melvin of Mitchell; sister Lilas Greenway of Mitchell and two nieces and one nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Donald, his sister Beulah Forst and nephew of Richard Forst.