Kenneth Nissen Obituary

Morris - Kenneth LeRoy Nissen was born on July 25, 1931, in Hancock,

Minnesota, to parents Harry and Viola (Neeseman) Nissen. He was

raised on the family farm, southwest of Hancock. On March 16,

1950, Ken was united in marriage to Verlys Shaw of Morris, Minnesota.

Following their marriage, they farmed with Ken's parents until 1954

when they moved to Owatonna. Ken was employed with OMC until

February 1956, when he joined the Owatonna Police Department as a

Patrolman. Ken's career with the OPD spanned 31 years, moving from

the rank of Patrolman, Patrol Sergeant, Sergeant Investigator, to

Assistant Chief. In 1972, Ken was appointed the position of Chief of

Police of the department of 21 officers. Ken served in that capacity the

remaining time of his career, until his retirement in July 1986. Following

his retirement, they moved back to Morris, Minnesota.

Ken was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, the Elks, Eagle's, Mason's

and the Shriners-Zuhrah Temple. He enjoyed fishing, and was always

willing to do the cleaning! Ken and Verlys road tripped to every state in

the United States, except one, Hawaii.

Ken died peacefully, at the Stevens Community Medical Center in

Morris, on July 25, 2025, his 94th birthday. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Viola, brother Bob, and son Duane

Ken is survived by his daughter: Lorena (Dave) Wilking of Morris; brother Richard(Jan) Nissen of Shakopee, sister Ruth Anderson of Simi Valley CA; 4 grandchildren and nieces and nephews including Tim Nissen( Karen) of Prior Lake and Tamara Nissen-Omosowon of St Paul. Donations can be made in memorial to the Elks Club of Owatonna. Services will be Friday August 1st at 2:00pm at Peterson Funeral Home in Morris, MN