James E. Nielson

James Edward Nielson, 90, of Chamberlain, SD, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2026, at Sanford Chamberlain Long Term Care in Chamberlain, SD.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 19, 2026, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Highmore, with Rev. Shari Schwedhelm officiating. A luncheon will follow the service. Burial will be at the Wessington Cemetery.

Jim was born on July 25, 1936, to parents Edward Nielsen and Mabel (Seastrom) Nielsen in Faulkton, SD. After graduating high school in Wessington, SD in 1954, Jim joined the Navy and served 2 years.

After returning from the Navy, Jim married his sweetheart Sandra Lee Phillips in November 1958, and they had three sons.

Jim and Sandy settled their family in Blunt, SD, and Jim started his career at Sully Buttes Telephone Coop in Highmore, SD. In 1969, Jim accepted a management position at Polar Communications in Park River, ND.  Then in 1976, the family returned to Highmore, SD, and Jim became General Manager of Sully Buttes Telephone Coop, which later became Venture Communications. He remained there until he retired in August 1997.

In 1989, Jim became First Chairman of the Board for SDN Communications. He was actively involved with SDN until his retirement.

After retirement, Jim and Sandy built a house on the river in Chamberlain.  Jim enjoyed annual hunting trips with family.  His favorite place was on his pontoon boat on the river.

Jim and Sandy remained married until her death in 2009.  Jim was lucky enough to find two loves in his life. In 2013, he began sharing his life with Mariellen Ross, whom he had known in high school. Together they enjoyed traveling, boating on the river, and family.  They continued to share their lives together until Jim’s passing.

He is survived by Mariellen Ross; his three sons: Steven Nielson (Lisa Kutz) Nielson, David (Lisa Ranieri) Nielson, and Jeff (Dorothy “Dorrie”) Nielson; 9 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

James Edward Nielson was preceded in death by his wife, Sandy; parents; and siblings.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Jim’s arrangements.