Melvin Jacob Nielsen was born Dec. 30, 1939 in River Falls, Wis. He was the son of Clara and Jacob (JC) Nielsen. He was raised on a farm north of River Falls and attended rural country schools until their closure. He then transferred to River Falls High School where he graduated in 1958.
Melvin was working at an area farm when he met the love of his life, Geraldine Pedersen. He later worked at Erickson’s Bakery, then River Falls Heating and Plumbing as a journeyman plumber. Melvin and Geraldine were married Aug. 11, 1962. They welcomed son Jeffrey Jacob Nielsen the following year, and they purchased their first farm. They then added their first daughter JoAnne to the family. Melvin and Geraldine purchased their second farm just a few miles up the road in 1968. Their son Jay Christian was born in 1971 but died in infancy. The family grew by one more with the birth of daughter Janet.
Melvin was honored with the Pierce County Land Conservation award in 1984. He continued farming several acres, milking cows, and raising beef cattle for many years. The dairy herd was sold in 1998 and Melvin worked the fields for the last time in 2018.
When he wasn’t working Melvin could be found tinkering in his shop, gardening, snowmobiling the local trails, or fishing at White Ash Lake. He and Geraldine enjoyed traveling with senior groups and taking their camper on adventures, but he loved getting back to the farm. As the family grew, he became his grandchildren’s biggest fan and would proudly attend many of their concerts, recitals, and sporting events from tee ball to college basketball.
Melvin lived his entire life committed to a few simple, but powerful principles: work hard, be honest, and above all, love your family. He leaned into whatever needed to be done and gave it his very best, for “anything worth doing, was worth doing right.”
Melvin will be remembered for his love of family and the farm, his sense of humor, honesty, unending work ethic, and kind heart. He was the man in bibs and a hat that could fix or build anything for anyone in the family or the neighborhood. He was always willing to lend a helping hand and expected nothing more than a smile or a firm handshake in return. He was an incredible husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend, and neighbor. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Melvin is survived by his wife of 63 years, Geraldine; children Jeff (LeAnn) Nielsen, JoAnne (Greg) Brager, Janet (Bill) Landgraf, brother Buck (Barb) Nielsen, sister Sheila Francis, sister-in-law Judy Nielsen, brother-in-law Richard Tresselt, in laws Roberta and Dick Masanz, Peder and Jeanne Pedersen, Linda and Vern Sandstrom and Barb Pedersen, eight grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents JC and Clara, brothers Merle (Maxine) and Marvin, sister Shirley, son Jay, in-laws Richard and Virginia Pedersen and Tom Pedersen.
The family wishes to express their appreciation and gratitude to all the staff at Our House Senior Living facility for their unwavering support, kindness, and care in Melvin’s last days with us here on Earth.
A memorial visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services (805 E. Division St.) River Falls. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
