Leon Dennis Nielsen was born on October 24th, 1950, in Tyler, MN. When he was one, the family moved to Marshall. Then, at age six the family moved to Rapid City, SD. He graduated from Rapid City high school in the class of 1968. That was the year when a terrible plane crash claimed the lives of six cheerleaders, the advisor and family members and he knew all of them personally. In 2001 he married the sister of one of those cheerleaders. The Spirit of Six award continues to be given at the state basketball tournament each year. During those high school years, he worked at Sooper Dooper, where his father, Pat Nielsen, was the manager.
Leon was an excellent bowler. During his senior year, he bowled at the state tournament and was the winner of all events. He continued to bowl throughout his life and passed on his love of bowling to his son Shaun.
Leon obtained a business degree from the National College of Business and for a time worked for Prairie States Life Insurance Company in the early 1970s. He met Charlene Tvedt in college and soon they were married. To this union, two sons were born: Shaun and Jason. In the mid-1970s Leon worked for Lewis and Kirkeby Real Estate.
In 1977, Leon and his family moved to Pierre where he worked for the South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA). In 1981, Leon and the boys moved to Sioux City, IA and he was a certified property manager for Weinberg Property Management. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Leon traveled the country leading seminars on property management for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the National Center for Housing Management (NCHM) and the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM).
In the early 2000s Leon moved back to Rapid City to assist in managing Corral Park Apartments. His parents, Pat and Norma, were managing it at the time. Upon their retirement in 2002, Leon took over as property manager of the 168-unit complex until his retirement in the summer of 2024.
Leon enjoyed watching a good baseball or softball game. His son Jason played legion baseball and his granddaughters all played softball on ASA, high school or church teams. He also enjoyed being an ASA umpire for several years at local softball fields.
He married Kris Glaze in September of 2001. He loved Kris so much and they enjoyed many years together. Leon learned to be a much better golfer under her guidance. Leon lost a lot when “Krissy” passed away on July 18, 2023. She was his rock and a wonderful caregiver as he dealt with serious health issues late in his life.
Leon is survived by his son Shaun (Carrie) Nielsen, Rapid City; granddaughters Lauren Nielsen and fiancé Rob Perkins, Lindsey (Trevor) Torgerson, and Lana (Adam) Johnston all of Rapid City. Grandson Jack Nielsen of Des Moines, IA and great grandson Nathan Johnston of Rapid City. Sister Lois Kilgore of Baxter, MN. Sisters in law, Amy Hendricks of Rapid City and Sara Glaze of Aurora, CO. In addition, he is survived by many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence (Pat) and Norma Nielsen, wife Kris Nielsen, son Jason Nielsen, brother-in-law Al Kilgore, and sister-in-law Karen Carnes.
Memorial Services will be 4:30 p.m. Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Parkview Evangelical Free Church.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established to Rainbow Bible Ranch.