Nikolas R Telleen

Nikolas Rae Telleen, 77, of Gowrie died April 18th, 2023 after a recurrence of cancer. Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 26th from 4-7 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 1003 Church St., Gowrie, IA. Funeral services will be Thursday, April 27th at 10:30 a.m., also at Zion, with Pastor Jim Davis and Lay Minister Beth Carlon officiating. Burial of the ashes will be in the Gowrie Township Cemetery with Military rites by American Legion Peterson Post #431. Nik was born on December 5, 1945 in Fort Dodge, Iowa to Vernon and Gladys (Sorenson) Telleen. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church and attended Sunday School, even as an adult. Nik worked on and off for many years at Wendell Plumbing and Heating throughout his life. After graduating from Prairie Community school with the class of 1964, he studied at Iowa Central Community College and Northwest Missouri State until his induction into the United States Army in August of 1967. There he served as a Publication Clerk for Aviation Command at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was honorably discharged in August 1969, receiving many military letters of recommendation. From there he moved to Houston, Texas working for Compass Properties and Bell Telephone. In 1972, Nik returned to Gowrie to farm with his father. He especially liked being his own boss and was dedicated to caring for his crops, livestock, and pets. In 2013, Nik retired from farming but continued to enjoy life on the acreage. In the Gowrie community, Nik was a life-long member of Zion Lutheran Church, having served on church council and participated in the choir. He was also a member of American Legion, and recently retired from the Benefitted Fire District where he held offices of President, Vice President, and Treasurer. On July 10, 1976 (the hottest July day, "102 degrees in the shade") Nik married Laurie Skoglund after several years of ordering well-done cheeseburgers and crispy french fries at the Canteen Caf where Laurie worked. Nik & Laurie traveled to India in 1980 to visit Dr. Lydia Ravadi. Niks parents contributed to Lydias education, and she grew from just a pen pal to someone they considered part of their family. In 1983, the joy of Niks life, Ashley Ann, was born. Nik had a passion for learning and sharing his knowledge/opinion with others; a devoted reader of the Bible, he hoped every Christian would read it at least once. He was an inventor of clever things, master knot tyer, and ready with a needed tool nearly anytime and anywhere. As a SpaceX and Tesla fan, he crossed off a bucket list item this winter when he and Laurie spent a month in Texas seeing the Tesla Giga Austin factory, Starbase and SpaceX. Nik is preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Gladys Telleen, grandparents Victor and Mabel Telleen, Andrew and Inger Sorenson, in-laws Leon and Marlys Skoglund, and Dr. Lydia Ravadi. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Laurie, daughter Ashley (Telleen) Brown, son-in-law Joseph Brown, dear grandchildren Taylor and Carter Brown of Kansas City, Missouri, brother Dan Telleen of Vail, Colorado, and many relatives and friends. Nik held great love and pride for his daughter and son-in-law, adored his grandchildren and enjoyed teaching them and watching them grow. He dearly loved his family. Nik will be missed.