Scott Norman Nielsen

Scott Nielsen, age 78, of Mound, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at home on September 12, 2026.

Scott was born June 16, 1948, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He attended Roosevelt High School and later graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1972, where he studied industrial education. He also joined the Army Reserves, serving for five years as a medic before being honorably discharged.

Scott spent 32 years working for Xcel Energy in electrical construction testing. He was a hard worker throughout his life, but no matter how busy he was, he always made time for his family. Those who knew Scott knew him as a kind-hearted man who cared deeply for the people closest to him.

Scott met the love of his life, Kathleen, at the Mermaid bar when he asked her to dance. That dance began a relationship that would last 52 years. Scott and Kathleen were married for 44 years and built a life together centered around family and the things they enjoyed most. They loved traveling, going out to eat, seeing movies and attending plays and musicals, with the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres holding a particularly special place for them. At home, they often ended their evenings simply reading together.

One of Scott’s lifelong passion projects was owning and managing rental properties. He spent countless weekends remodeling, repairing and improving them, and he took great satisfaction in seeing a project come together. He also loved investing and researching the stock market. He could spend hours digging into a company, and anyone who talked investments with Scott undoubtedly heard about one of his favorites, Exact Sciences.

The lake was always a special place for Scott. He grew up spending time at the family cabin and later fulfilled a longtime dream by extensively remodeling it during his retirement. He had also always hoped to someday live near Lake Minnetonka, a dream he ultimately realized when he made his home in Mound.

Retirement gave Scott more time to enjoy the things he loved. He spent much of it in New Port Richey, Florida, near his cousin Charlie Wilson, and he and Kathleen traveled frequently, visiting new places and experiencing new things together. Scott was an avid reader, particularly enjoying political and spy thrillers and authors such as John Grisham and Vince Flynn. He loved movies, especially classic action movies, and was a devoted football fan who enjoyed cheering on the Minnesota Vikings.

Above all, Scott loved his family. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and the time he spent with them was always important to him.

Scott is survived by his wife of 44 years, Kathleen (Roth) Nielsen; his son, John (Sarah) Nielsen; and his granddaughters, Tatum and Blake. He was preceded in death by his father, Norman Nielsen; his mother, Mable (Wilson) Nielsen; and his sister, Patti Johnson.

A Celebration of Scott's life will take place on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 1 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel in Alexandria.

Interment will be in Kinkead Cemetery.