Robert J. “Jens” Nielsen, age 75 of Clinton, passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at his home. A Celebration of Life will take place from 3:00 to 7:00 PM Saturday, March 23rd at Legends. The Pape Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Jens was born in Cherokee, Iowa on August 9, 1948, the son of Jens and Marjorie (Crippen) Nielsen. He graduated from Clinton High School in 1967. He married Judie McCune on May 14, 1966 in Galena, IL. Jens had been employed at Chemplex/Lyondell for over 30 years. He was an avid pool player who played with the same team for over 40 years. His father Jens and brother Gary were founding member of the Midwest Pool and Billiards Association of Clinton. He loved traveling, going on rides for eagle watching, and golfing. He was a life-long Green Bay Packer fan and followed the Hawkeyes, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Boston Celtics. He enjoyed his time working with the Lumberkings where he could meet with old/new friends. His grandchildren and nieces and nephews loved playing games with him even though he was known to cheat.
Jens is survived by his wife Judie; 3 sons, Robert J. (Shannon) Nielsen, Jr. of Clinton, and their children, Taylor (Colby) Butler, and Ethan and Quinn, Benjamin (Karla) Nielsen of Prior Lake, MN and their children Cody and Chase, and Nathan (Heidi) Nielsen of Milan, MN and his children Brett and Samantha; 4 great grandchildren, Xavier, Abram, Lily, and Fae with one on the way; 3 sisters, Karen Hill of Clinton, Julia Nielsen of Bettendorf, and Diane (Mike) Prins of Clinton; 2 brothers, Gary (Cheryl) Nielsen of Iowa City and Larry (Janis) Nielsen of Griffin, GA, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Donna Nielsen. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com.