Theodore Matt (Ted) Nielsen

Theodore Matt (Ted) Nielsen, 87, passed away on September 18, 2016, at his home in Wasilla from Dementia/Alzheimer’s related causes.

He leaves his wife and best friend of 57 years Carole Ann; son Theodore Matt (Robin); daughter Phyllis Ann Bosch (Dave); six grandchildren: Jennifer Limberg (Marcus), Jessica Lethlean (Larry), Kimberly Wooten (Mike), Kristina Carpenter (Chuck), Derek Cottle (Amanda), and Allen Bosch, plus 15 great-grandchildren, all of which live in Alaska. He also leaves three daughters from a previous marriage: Susan Yvonne, Janet Ruth, and Maxine Ann, all residents of the lower 48.

In 1902 his great-grandfather went from Wisconsin to Oregon, where he established the Danish Colony in Junction City. His great-grandfather also organized and was pastor of the original Danish Lutheran Church in Junction City, the denomination he claimed as his heritage.

He was born August 31, 1929, in Eugene, Oregon, to Theodore Matt (Ted) and Ruth (Elnan) Nielsen. He grew up in the little town of Deadwood, Oregon, west of Eugene, and attended school in Mapleton. He was self-employed for most of his life. He owned a logging company in Oregon before he and his family moved to Alaska in 1964. He then worked for Beech Construction in Big Lake, South Central Timber Inc. at Jakolof Bay, and Kalmbach Inc. in Wasilla, before starting Wasilla Excavating & Construction Co. in 1971. During this time he earned two awards for “outstanding and dedicated community services,” one from the Wasilla Lions Club and one from the Wasilla VFW. He also had a business in Hilo, Hawaii, Island Forest By-Products, Inc., during the ‘80s. They then returned to Oregon, where he operated Fibe-Co. until 1991. From then on he ran TCN Inc., before they returned to Alaska in 2011.

Traveling in their motor home was one of his favorite things. They spent many enjoyable winters in Arizona, and he loved the trips back and forth over the Alcan visiting family and friends in Alaska. The Oregon Coast, particularly the Yachets area, was one of his favorite places. He also loved golf, snowmachining, 4-wheeling, hunting and fishing.

He loved life, his family, his friends, and attending church. He will be missed by all who knew him. A Celebration of Life will be held at Sunny Knik Chapel, mile 14, Knik Goose Bay Road, on October 1, 2016, at 2 p.m. Pastor Duane Guisinger will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska, 1750 Abbott Road, Anchorage, AK 99507