Chief Larry Nielsen suffered a heart attack while responding in department apparatus to a reported barn fire on October 9‚ 2012. He was transported to the hospital where he died later that day.

Chief Nielsen was a 41-year veteran with the Gilmore City Fire Department and the Gilmore City Ambulance Service‚ where he served as a volunteer emergency medical technician and director. His assistant chief said he ‘lived and breathed’ for emergency services and that a better fireman couldn’t be found. He was remembered by fellow firefighters as very calm and collected even on a chaotic fire scene. He was diligent about making sure someone was available to respond to emergency calls‚ staying in town when he knew other members would be away.

Larry worked for Gilmore City for 30 years and retired in 2011 as utilities supervisor. At the time of his death‚ he worked at the Pro Coop station in Gilmore. He was also the sexton of the Marble Valley Cemetery. Larry volunteered as a coach for Girls’ Little League for over fifteen years and played men’s fastpitch for ten years.

He was survived by his wife‚ Susan Nielsen‚ and his children‚ Chris and Luke Nielsen.

Larry was a good father and a good citizen who contributed a lot to his community.