Kirk Eugene Nielsen, 58, of Oelwein passed away on Saturday October 21, 2017 at the University of Iowa Hospital due to complications from cancer.  Visitation will be from 4-7 PM on Thursday October 26, 2017 at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein.  Funeral services will begin at 10:30 AM on Friday October 27, 2017 at Zion Lutheran Church in Oelwein with Rev. Josh Schunk officiating.  Inurnment will be at a later date in Woodlawn Cemetery at Oelwein.  A memorial fund has been established.

Kirk was born in Webster City on October 9, 1959 to parents Jens and Joanne (Manship) Nielsen.  He grew up in Oelwein and graduated from Oelwein High School with the class of 1978.  He then attended the University of Northern Iowa and graduated with his BA in History.  Kirk was employed as a substitute teacher in the Mason City area school districts.  In 2005 he returned to Oelwein and continued teaching for several surrounding school districts in the area.  Kirk was an avid runner and walker, he still holds the 1976 one-mile track record at the Oelwein High school.  Kirk also ran track and cross-country while attending UNI.  He loved to fish and camp, and was also a big history buff.  He loved music and played the guitar.  He followed the LSU Tigers and the L.A. Dodgers.

Kirk is survived by his parents Jens and Joanne Nielsen of Oelwein; his fiancé Kari Jean Kraus of Mason City; his brother Mark (Anna Hogg) Nielsen of Mason City; his sisters: Lynn (Brad) Struve of Maynard and Lori Garceau of Oelwein; his nieces: Kylie (Mike) Ruess, Aimee, Erin, and Megan Nielsen, and Tess Garceau; his nephew Shane (Darcy Jacobsen) Struve; his great-nieces: Quinn, Claire and Hadley Ruess; his aunts and uncles: Ken and Marilyn Nielsen, Roger and Nancy Lenning, and Gary and Deb Crist.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Chris and Thora Nielsen, and Omar and Amy Manship; his aunts and uncles: Dick and Anna Torgerson, Don and Linda Heggen, and Robert and Marylou Manship; his cousin Steve Manship; his nephew Sgt. Seth Garceau.