"Florence and Holly: Wish I could have attended the funeral! I remember Warren fondly, and would love to see you folks again when convenient! Warren was always a source of pride by my father, Don Jones of Shenandoah. We are the old guard of the Farragut Coxes! Warren was a shining star!"
In loving memory of
Warren Nielsen
July 26, 2007
Warren Carl Nielson was born March 10, 1922 in a sod house in Arthur County, Nebraska. His parents were Christian Nielson, a native of Denmark, and Martha Gschwendner Nielson. The couple had moved from Yankton, South Dakota, in the early 1900's to claim their ranchland homestead in the Sand Hills of western Nebraska.
The first three years of his life were spent in his parents' soddy. After the death of his father in 1925, his mother sold their livestock and other belongings at auction. Martha and Warren moved to Yankton, where Martha found work at a state hospital. Warren lived in the home of his aunt and uncle, Mary and Carl Anderson. Another aunt, Bertha Gschwendner, also lived in the home.
Active in theater and drama, Warren graduated from Yankton High School in 1939. He enjoyed acting in Shakespearean plays and played saxophone and clarinet in dance bands. During his time at Yankton College, he was sworn into the United States Army. In 1943 he earned a Bachelor's Degree from Yankton College, majoring in English and speech/drama. He completed student teaching and anticipated a career in education until he was bitten by the "radio bug."
Warren's first broadcasting job was at KSCJ in Sioux City, Iowa, where he soon became a well-known newscaster. In 1945, he sought to broaden his radio career at KMA in Shenandoah, Iowa. His duties there included working with many musical entertainers, such as the Blackwood Brothers Gospel Quartet with pianist Hilton Griswold, Morrie Jones, Gretta Bellamy, and the Every Family - Ike, Margaret, Don and Phil. Other notable personalities at the time included Earl May, the Reverend Edythe Stirlen, Ralph Childs, and Merrill Langfitt. In the "golden days" of radio, Warren was often the Master of ceremonies for variety shows aired before a studio audience.
At KMA, Warren's positions in his 25-year tenure included newscaster, announcer, call-in talk show host, production manager, promotion manager, program director, and associate farm director. Several times he even filled in for an ailing homemaker on her half-hour broadcast. Warren also had a half-hour program on KMA called Kiddie Korner. He called himself "Uncle Warren." The program aired in after-school time. It contained stories, music and letters read on the air from young listeners.
One of the "gimmicks" was a contest to be the person to see the first robin in springtime. Everyone who wrote an entry received a personalized card with the child's name and date, signed by Uncle Warren, stating that he or she was an official member of The Robin Watchers Society.
Warren had also filled in for Frank Field on "Over the Garden Fence" on KMTV for several years when management asked him to begin a half-hour farm show for the Omaha station. Known as the "Farm Report of the Week," this show aired on KMTV early Sunday mornings for 33 years, from 1962 to 1995. Warren wrote scripts, shot pictures, did interviews, each week including a feature with Cooperative Extension Agent and 4-H members from twenty-four counties in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa.
In 1970, Warren decided to specialize in farm broadcasting. Ha accepted the position of Director of Agricultural Services for KFAB in Omaha. Warren and his family moved to Omaha in 1970. His duties at KFAB included being the first live voice at 5:00 a.m., much writing and interviewing, farm broadcasts, and a great deal of traveling to agricultural events throughout the United States. He was very proud to be a member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. In his later years at KFAB, Warren was pleased to work with Roger Flemmer as his associate in the farm department. Warren worked for KFAB until 1990. In all, his broadcasting career covered 52 years.
Warren's interests in private life included hunting, fishing, reading, tracking the farm and financial markets, building mini birdhouses, and following the various activities of his wife, Florence and daughter, Holly.
Warren was married to Florence Lorraine Cox, formerly of Farragut, Iowa, on June 12, 1948 in Shenandoah. Florence and daughter Holly Kathleen Nielson both survive him.
After surviving three bouts with cancer beginning in 1998, Warren was hospitalized during June and July of 2007. His life ended at Montclair Nursing Center in Omaha, Nebraska, on July 26, 2007. His characteristic baritone voice was stilled by several heart attacks and strokes.
A Memorial service was held at the Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. Words of comfort were given by Rev. Fred Bryson. Reading of the obituary was done by Don Hansen. Ruth Palm attended the memory register. Special music was "Turn Your Radio On", "Everybody Will Be Happy", "Old Country Church" and "Give The World A Smile". Inurnment was at the Farragut Cemetery in Farragut, Iowa. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.hackettlivingston.com. Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home was in charge of the services.
Tributes
"I met Warren many years ago, he was fishing at Yankton lake at Gavins Point Dam. Great guy, he was very helpful, and gave me pointers on how to fish, I did stay in touch for a while, but after getting married and having kids we lost touch. My condolences to the family, he was a very nice guy, I will alway remember his kindness. Paul S. "
"I only had the pleasure of meeting Warren a few times in person but like so many he was a fixture in our homes on radio and t.v. It feels like losing an old friend. From my family to yours our hearts are with you and our memories of Warren will last forever. "
"Florence and family, we sincerely send our sympathy to you at this time. Remembering you from the time you were in Shenandoah. And of course, Vern has known the Cox family of Farragut. May God bless you."
"Dear Florence and Holly, My family was sorry to hear about Warren. He was such an important person in KMA's success and we have always been appreciative of the commitment and loyalty he had to the station. We could always count on Warren for so many things and to do them well. On a personal note, I have fond memories of him because at age 15, as I was learning to run the control board, play music, read the news, etc. it was his job to teach me those skills. Given the many mistakes I made, he was a very patient and understanding man! I've always been grateful for that. We are on vacation in Wisconsin and unable to attend the service but we will be thinking of you. Take care and best wishes. Ed May."
"Dear family of Warren, My name is Julie Josephson Denhart. My parents were Jack and Delores Josephon. My father worked with Warren at KMA as an engineer for many, many years. As a child growing up, I have some very fond memories of the radio station and the KMA family of employees. There was a closness and comradery among those who worked there and my father enjoyed the people so much. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1968, at the age of 43 with cancer. As a little girl, I sang on the radio a couple of times, as did many of the employees children and loved the big stage, huge glass recording area, flowing, velvet curtains and the elaborate auditorium. I do remember Warren, his wife, and young daughter, Holly. I recall that in later years you all moved to Omaha to continue his career in the broadcasting field. My mother, Delores, remained in Shenandoah, remarried in 1972, and passed away in 2003. There are not many people from the early years, that I remember, still around. It was a great time and I am so glad I have had the opportunity to look back and remember the many nice people from KMA that touched our lives. I am sorry for your loss and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. It was a pleasure to have known Warren. Sincerely, Julie Josephson Denhart"
"Florence & Holly, I will always remember you living next door to my grandparents, the Bennetts.Warren taught me to clean and eat frog legs. He also took me for a ride on his motor scooter. What fun we had in the 50's. Janet Tribolet"