Donald Dwight Nielsen was born on September 3, 1942, in Tyler, MN, to Thorvald and Louise (Fleahman) Nielsen. He grew up in Tyler and graduated from Tyler High School. Tut was drafted into the U.S. Army and served during the Vietnam War. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Southwest Minnesota. He was married to Judith “Judy†Senn in 1970. Tut worked as a semi driver for various companies in Marshall including Floyd Wild, Kelco. He retired after driving for 30 years for the Schwan Food Company. Tut enjoyed coffee with friends and spending time at the lake in Okoboji. He will be remembered for his great sense of humor. He had a quick wit and was known to be a bit of a prankster. He was quite fond of “his boys;†Bentley and Cooper, a Shih tzu and Maltese. Tut was a longtime member of the American Legion and VFW.
Donald died peacefully on Friday, December 8, 2017, surrounded by family and friends at his residence in Marshall. He is survived by his loving wife, Judy of Marshall, sister Phyllis Dering of Marshall, in-laws Jim (and Lesta) Senn of Oroville, CA and Mark (and Shirley) Senn of Hartley, IA, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Harold, sister Lorraine Schultz, nephew Paul Anderson and brother-in-law Sam Dering.
