Kenneth Ray Nielsen, 91, died peacefully on September 30, 2018, at his home in Apple Valley, MN. Kenneth was born in the The Dalles, Oregon on May 29, 1927.

He graduated from Havre High School (MT) in 1945 and later went on to achieve an undergraduate degree in History and Masters degrees in History and Library Science. Kenneth was a WWII Navy veteran and a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Ken met his wife, Donna, and they were married in 1955. They moved to Virgina, MN in 1972 where Ken worked as the Assistant Director and then Director of the Arrowhead Library System until 1992 when he retired.

Ken had a love of learning and acquired THOUSANDS of books through the years. He also loved music, especially Jazz. He was a loving father and grandfather who always found tangible ways to love, help and encourage his family.

Ken is survived by his son, Eric (Marylyn) Nielsen, of Coon Rapids, MN; daughter Kris (Brian) Schmidt of Burnsville, MN; grandchildren, Alexander and Isabella Nielsen, and Emma, Andrew, Isaiah, and Zachary Schmidt. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, brother, and sister.

Memorial Service will be held Saturday, October 6 at noon at Bauman-Cron Funeral Home in Virginia. Inurnment will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery in Virginia. A gathering time for family and friends will begin one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorials are the preferred way to honor Ken's memory.

Family services provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To share condolences online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com .

Gathering Time for Family & Friends 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ,Saturday, October 6, 2018
Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel
516 South First Street Virginia, MN 55792
Memorial Service 12:00 PM ,Saturday, October 6, 2018
Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel
516 South First Street Virginia, MN 55792
Military Honors Accorded by the Virginia Servicemen's Honor Guard 12:45 PM ,Saturday, October 6, 2018
Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel
516 South First Street Virginia, MN 55792
Inurnment 1:00 PM ,Saturday, October 6, 2018
Greenwood Cemetery
1126 North 9th Street Virginia, MN 55792