Thomas Patrick Nielsen

Tom Nielsen, 56, passed away May 23, 2009, in Kansas University Medical Center following a long battle with cancer. Tom was born Sept. 4, 1952, in Kansas City. Tom was baptized in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church the following year and has now transcended the bounds of earth and the pain of mortal suffering early Saturday (surrounded by family and friends and surrendering to the forgiving arms of his Maker).

Tom was raised in the Harwood area, attended El Dorado Springs High School and married his high school sweetheart and best friend, Faye Pippin. Leaving the farm after graduation, Tom worked construction and learned the concrete business – later establishing his own successful company in the Kansas City-Excelsior Springs area. Tom asked Faye to give his children the good education, security and family ties which the family farm would provide. Even though his business required that he be absent, his heartstrings and loyalty led him to return to participate in the lives of his wife, parents and children.
Tom was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Nielsen; mother, Josephine Nielsen; father, Paul Nielsen, and wife, Faye Nielsen.

Tom is survived by daughters, Bobbie Blankenship and husband, Juble – Pleasant Hill, and Jennifer Spencer and husband, Mike – El Dorado Springs; son, J.P. (Joseph Paul) Nielsen and wife, Kimmy – Excelsior Springs-Harwood; and four grandchildren – Anthony Crane, Ryan Crane, Trevor Blankenship and Logan Spencer.

Services began at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 27, in Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home, El Dorado Springs, with Rev. Brent Bland officiating. Music was provided by Mike and Cammie Housh and Jim Purtle. Interment followed in Nielsen Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Juble Blankenship, Mike Spencer, Ryan Crane, Anthony Crane, Justin Basinger and Harold Hunt Jr.