Harley Nielsen

[JimC]

I'm probably the least qualified person to say a few words about Harley Nielsen, who passed away this last Friday, but I really feel compelled to say something. I've only been active with our chapter for a little over a year now, though from day one Harley was one of the folks who really made me feel welcome. He had been around the club long enough to remember my grandpa, who was the entire reason I fell for Studes in the first place. This connection was one of the lures that had helped me become involved. I'll be honest, it can be intimidating being the only young 30-something guy in a club of people who are much older and more experienced than you, but Harley wasn't afraid to make me part of the group. He would share stories, laugh with the jokes, and let me chime in. Harley was a friend to the Studebaker world, and will be missed.

[41 Frank]

The following is Harley Nielsen's obituary

Harley James, son of Chris L. and Dagmar (Christiansen) Nielsen, was born April 19,1926 on a farm in Audubon County, Iowa. He attended county school near his home. Harley entered the United States Army in 1945 and received his honorable discharge in 1947 after serving in the military police.
Harley lived and worked in the Harlan, IA. area until moving to Council Bluffs in 1956. On March 28, 1958 Harley was united in marriage with Bonita Alice Hermeling in Omaha, Nebraska. Harley and Bonnie were the parents of one daughter. They lived outside Council Bluffs until moving to a retirement apartment. Harley worked maintenance most of his adult life until retiring in 1988.
Harley and Bonnie enjoyed going to car shows with their restored black cherry red Studebaker. He belonged to the Studebaker Drivers Club. Harley was an avid reader and a member of American Legion Post 2.
Harley was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December of 2012. After a courageous battle, he died early Friday morning at Josie Harper Hospice House, Omaha, NE. on May 17, 2013 at the age of 87 and 26 days.
Preceding him in death are his parents; brother Norman Nielsen and brother in law Delbert Criss.
Harley is survived by his wife Bonnie Nielsen of Council Bluffs, and daughter Margaret (Peg) Stingley (Jerry) of Omaha, NE.; three grandsons John Reese of Des Moines, Tony Reese (Judy) of Aurora,CO. and Wesley Stingley (Eva) of Omaha, NE. six great grandchildren; sister Myrna Criss of Wichita, KS. and many other family and friends.

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Harley and Bonnie were long time faithful members of the Husker Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club, Harley will be sorely missed. He was quite a joker and story teller as many of us can attest to. Him and Bonnie used to travel to all the Zone meets in the central U.S. in their '50 Champion that he had inherited from his father. His father having purchased the car brand new in Harlan, Iowa. The Champion has now passed on to grandson Tony from Aurora, CO. Tony has joined SDC and the Conestoga Chapter and plans to bring the car to Colorado Springs for this years International meet. The Husker Chapter was represented at the funeral by 7 Chapter families, bringing 5 Studebakers. Harley, being of Danish ancestry, was buried in Kimballton, Ia. today, May 22nd. A Danish film crew who happened to be filming a documentary about descendants of Danish immigrants in the area was given permission by the family to film the service and burial. The family was very appreciative of all the Studebakers that appeared with their owners to pay their respects.

Respectfully submitted
Frank van Doorn
SDC North Central Director

[BobPalma]

An interesting report, Frank; thank you.

How appropriate that the Danish film crew was in the area at the time...and now we all know of at least one other woman named Dagmar! BP

[41 Frank]

On the lighter side I remember a story Harley told us several years ago. Harley and Bonnie were returning from attending a Zone meet in the Gering/Scottsbluff, NE. area I believe. After some driving Harley got tired and turned the driving chores over to Bonnie. Traveling I-80 eastbound through Nebraska the road is relatively flat so the old '50 Champion two door sedan would cruise right along in overdrive. Harley proceeded to doze off and after a while awoke, looked around and sensed they were moving right along. Looking down at the speedometer Harley noticed Bonnie was cruising at the 75 mph speed limit. Suffice it to say that Bonnie received a good tongue lashing!

[Studedude1961]

I would like to echo Jim's thoughts regarding Harley. I too was once a young 30s-something guy when I joined the Husker Chapter. Harley made me feel very welcome, as did the whole group. It was always heartwarming to see Harley and Bonnie together motoring along in their 1950 Champion still very much in love after many years of marriage. He was an outstanding ambassador for the Husker Chapter and will be missed terribly by his Studebaker family. His wooden clothespins anti-vapor lock system will long be remembered with a grin by his many friends in the chapter and in the midwest old car community. RIP Harley. You were truly one of a kind!

John Waddell
Studedude1961
Omaha, NE

[Hades Storm]

As someone who knew the man thier entire life, and choose not to say good bye, but rather remember him as he was before he got sick, I miss him everyday, his smile, the fact he was supportive in everything, and that he loved me unconditionally, and who could ever forget the life that his face was always full of, that could brighten the worst of days. I have his 1950 Studebaker pickup, that I am slowly working on tearing apart and rebuilding ground up, part of this is because I love classics, the other reason is much closer to me and makes me damned and determined to finish it, which is, I plan to rebuild and restore her, so I can take her to see him one last time, so he might see he back in prime condition. My great grandfather is one of very few people I have ever held the greatest respect for, and held unconditional love. His passing broke me for a long time, and I put aside grieving for many years, until one day I couldn't, as I found his memorial video that the funeral home put together for his family. I post today, not only because these stories you guys posted have brought me good memories of him, but because I'm finally taking the advice of my father to reach out so I might finally start making progress on my truck. Thank you to those who posted the stories and memories of him and my great grandmother Bonnie, it was good to read that he touched many people and left the same impression on you, that he left with his great grandkids.

[41 Frank]

Hi Hades
Harley and Bonnie are still people we talk about from time to time. They were some of our best Studebaker friends and we would socialize with them from time to time. In some ways Harley was set in his ways when it came to Studebakers but in a good way. He had no patience with people who would modify a Studebaker so for heavens sake keep his truck as original as you can because he would turn over in his grave if you modified it. (Insert smiley here.) We did attend his funeral service and burial with our 1952 Studebaker as well as several other Husker Chapter members. Harley and Bonnie used to drive their 1950 Studebaker to meets all over the central US. One story sticks in my mind. They were returning home from a meet out in Western Nebraska it was I believe, With Harley driving as usual and at some point he said he was tired and asked Bonnie to drive, she obliged. Harley moved over to the passenger side and promptly dozed off. After a while Harley awoke and looked out the window and noticed the trees and power poles were going by pretty fast. Considering their Studebaker Champion did not have a very powerful 6 cylinder engine Harley looked over at the speedometer and saw it indicating 75 miles per hour. He about came unglued and forced Bonnie to slow down. I don't think he asked her to take over the driving chores after that episode. As yourself, when Harley became sick I did not visit him anymore as I wanted to remember him the way he was before that happened.
Sincerely
Frank and Elizabeth van Doorn