Obituary of Ronald L Nissen

It is with great sadness that the family of Ronald L. Nissen of Winthrop Harbor, IL and Mesa, Arizona announce his sudden passing on Sunday, June 20, 2021 at the age of 76. Ron was born on January 21, 1945 in Hendricks, Minnesota to Frank and Pauline Nissen. The family moved from South Dakota to Illinois where he attended Winthrop Harbor schools and Zion Benton Township High School. Ron married the love of his life, Donna Shirling on September 12, 1964 at Our Lady of Humility Church in Zion. They were blessed with two adoring sons, Timothy J. Nissen and Kevin R. Nissen. After working at his father Frank’s landscaping business, and for Uncle Glenn Davis, excavating, Ron pursued an opportunity and partnered up with his co-worker Bill and began North Shore Excavating in 1976. They successfully grew their site development and underground utilities business which served the area until 2004. Semi-retirement followed and he began spending winters in Mesa, Arizona. He continued to take small excavation jobs notably for Fort Sheridan providing burial services for U.S. military members, which he felt honored to do. Even recently, he could be found working with his nephew, operating the “The CAT”. Over the decades on any given Saturday night, Ron could be found at the dirt track. In the early years helping his brother to track championships, and thereafter as a fan. He was a member of Our Lady of Humility of Zion. Ronald is survived by his sons, Tim (Melissa) Nissen of San Tan Valley, AZ and Kevin Nissen of Park Ridge, IL and his treasured grandchildren Daulton, Briana, Emma and Alec. As well as his adored great grandchildren Nova and Hudson Alvarez. He is also survived by his sister Kathy Martin of Winthrop Harbor and many nieces and nephews. Ronald was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Donna, parents Pauline and Frank Nissen, sisters Betty, Claire, Sharon, Bev and his brother Darv. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00AM Monday June 28, 2021, at Our Lady of Humility Catholic Church 10655 West Wadsworth Road, Beach Park, IL 60099. Entombment will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion, IL. Visitation will be held from 3:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. Sunday June 27, 2021 at the Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion, IL 60096. Donations are to be made to the American Heart Association.