Elden Andrew Nielsen: Dublin, N.H. - Oct. 9, 1935 – Aug. 31, 2012

Elden Andrew Nielsen, 76, formerly of Arlington, died Friday, Aug. 31, 2012, after a long battle with cancer at the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Jaffrey, N.H.

A church service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at All Saints Church in Peterborough, N.H., with the Rev. Adrian Robbins-Cole presiding.

Elden was born on the family farm near Badger on Oct. 9, 1935, to Emma Caroline Paulson and Niels Kristian Moller Nielsen.

He moved to Dublin in 1971 after having lived in Minnesota. Elden served in the United States Army in the late 1950s. He attended Anderson University in Indiana, 1953 to 1958, and later went on to obtain two master’s degrees: one in education and one in music.

He worked as a music teacher at the Amherst Middle School from 1971 to 1998. Elden was an active member of All Saints Church in Peterborough. He had previously been the music director at the Dublin Community Church as well as being involved in many different church choirs. He and his wife of more than 36 years Marjorie (Eaves) Nielsen would play music side by side, she on the organ and he as the vocalist and/or choir director.

Elden also loved freshwater and deep sea fishing, camping and fixing things. He was a talented handyman who could fix anything from automobiles, to furniture, to everyday household items. He loved to travel.

He once took a year sabbatical and drove across the United States with Marge in a camper, ending his travels by writing a book, “Discover the US on a Shoe String,” about his experiences.

He is survived by his wife Marjorie (Eaves) Nielsen; three sons, Barry C. Nielsen (Christina ) of Lowell, Mass., Kenton C. Nielsen (Carla) of Goffstown, N.H., and Bradley W. Nielsen (Jean) of Lee, N.H; three step-daughters; Kathy Fiske (Timothy) of Temple, Rebekkah McCarthy

(Robert) of of Richmond, and Regena McCarthy of Bennington; three brothers; Clinton Nielsen (Eris), Curtis Nielsen (Lorrine), and Charles Nielsen (Phyllis) as well as his sister Vicki Stephens (Frank); two grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Opal and Violet and his brother Lyle.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to The American Guild of Organists, the Monadnock Chapter

(www.AGOHQ.org) or the charity of your choice in Elden's memory. Any who want may contact Elden’s son Kent at 136 Paige Hill Road, Goffstown, N.H. 03045. (kcnielsen136@comcast.net)

Jellison Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.