Alger James Nielsen

Alger James Nielsen, 91 of Cedar Springs, died Tuesday, June 21, 2016. Mr. Nielsen was born November 12, 1924 in Maple Valley Township, MI the son of Carl and Belva (White) Nielsen. He graduated from Maple Valley Township High School in 1942 and Central Michigan University in 1949. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II. Mr. Nielsen was a high school teacher and respected coach at Ashley Public Schools from 1949 – 1956 and Cedar Springs Public Schools from 1956 – 1984. “Coach” wintered in Alamo, TX (Rio Grande Valley) for 30 years. He was a member of St. Clara Catholic Church, was a devoted family man, and had a love of all sports. He married June Krebs in 1947 and she preceded him in death in 1999. Surviving are his wife Nancy (Kehoe) whom he married in 2001; children, James (Victoria) Nielsen, Peggy (Gary) Hansen, Suzy (Gary) Levy, Debby (James) Gingrich, Ellie (Ric, dec’d) Bohms, Richard (Mary Ellen) Nielsen, Lori (Kevin) Goodyke, Patrick (Tresa) Nielsen; 29 grandchildren: 21 great grandchildren; siblings, Agnes Skorka, Belva Stout, Margaret Krebs, and John (Jean) Nielsen. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Marilyn Dunn in 1971; siblings, Lloyd Nielsen, Kenneth Nielsen, Frieda Kaiser, and Carl Nielsen. The family will greet friends Friday from 4-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where a Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 pm with community sharing to follow. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday 10:30 am at Mary Queen of Apostles, Sand Lake. Rev. Fr. Lam Le celebrant. Interment with military honors at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Sand Lake. Memorials may be made to the Cedar Springs Education Foundation.