Vernon "Red" Nienow

Vernon (Red) Archie Nienow, 85, passed on February 10. 2017 at his home. Visitation will be at Eddy funeral home in Jamestown Tuesday, February 14 from 5-7 pm with a prayer service at 7pm. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, February 15 at Atonement Lutheran Church in Jamestown. There will be no burial as cremation has taken place.

Red was born on December 24, 1931, to John and Katie (Klundt) Nienow in Streeter, ND. He grew up with his parents, brother Edwin (Jack), and sister Joyce (Tuts) on a farm northwest of Streeter. Red attended school through the 8th grade at Streeter area country schools. Following his schooling, he worked for several area farmers as a hired hand as well as helped on his parents' farm. Red was drafted into the US Army in 1954 and was deployed to Korea in peacekeeping efforts. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1956.

Red and Joyce (Vellenga) were married May 9, 1959 at the United Church of Christ in Jamestown, ND. They lived with Red's parents on the farm northwest of Streeter. While living there, they welcomed their first child, David. In 1960, Red and Joyce moved to their family farm northwest of Streeter. Children, Carolyn and Jim, joined the family in the little pink house. In 1964, they moved into their "big" house on the family farm. There, they welcomed three more children, Beth, Amy, and Sarah.

Red and Joyce farmed until 1997. While farming, they milked cows, raised beef cattle, and farmed grains and hay. During his years farming, Red taught himself many skills including welding, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and minor veterinarian procedures. He often used his skills to help neighbors. Red served on several boards in Streeter including the school board, Newberry township board, St. Luke's Lutheran church board, and was a member and a commander of the Streeter American Legion Post #265. In 1997, Red and Joyce moved to Jamestown. He worked part-time at Paradiso, a butcher shop, and Don's Garden Center during his retirement.

Red loved to read Louis L'Amour westerns, watch MN Twins baseball, listen to a variety of music, cook, bake, garden, and can. He wanted to make sure to have the favorites foods for his kids and grandkids when they came to visit. Red had a laugh that was recognized wherever he went and a whistle that could quiet a room or raise his kids from their beds. He loved to visit, tell stories and jokes, and had many trademark sayings that became known as "papa-isms" to his grandkids.

Red is survived by his wife of almost 58 years, Joyce, children Carolyn (John) Phelps, Jim Nienow, Beth (Mike) Hamer, Amy (Brad) Roesler, and Sarah (Kyle) Miller, daughter-in-law Debbie Nienow, grandkids Shane Nienow, Nathan (Lexi) Nienow, Rachel Phelps, Abigail Phelps, Toshia Nienow, Michael Nienow, Ethan Hamer, Owen Hamer, Paige Roesler, Brady Roesler, Tyrell Miller, and Jenna Miller, great-grandchildren Gracie and Jaxon, brother Edwin (Jack) Nienow , sister Joyce (Tuts) Freier, several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, son David, and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Family requests memorial donationsto be made to JRMC Hospice or the charity of your choice in Vernon's name.

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