Carl Patric "Howdy" Nielsen, 69 of Sterling passed away Thursday, November 16, 2023, in Greeley, CO. A Celebration of Howdy's life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 2, at Emmanuel Baptist Church with Reverend Sean Cole officiating. Howdy will be laid to rest in South Dakota at a later date.

Carl was born March 17, 1954, in Hot Springs, South Dakota to William Carl Nielsen and Zona Leatrice (Dunsmore) Nielsen. Howdy attended and graduated from school in Hot Springs, South Dakota. He attended Northeastern Junior College in Sterling where he earned an Associate's Degree of Applied Science of Production Agriculture. Howdy enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1974 and was honorably discharged in 1980.

Howdy worked many years as a cowboy, starting out as a pen rider then as a ranch hand and working his way up to a livestock supervisor. He also worked as a researcher for Soil Conservation Service and as a salesman for Lebsack's Feed and Seed.

Howdy married Nancy Kay Hicks on June 7, 1973, in Buffalo Gap, S.D. and they later divorced. Howdy married Mary Lynn Temple on September 5, 1995, in Sterling, CO.

Howdy was a member of Colorado Cross Disability Coalition where he won the Jerry Urban award for going the extra mile for his community. He was also a member of NJC Chapter of fellowship of Christian athletes and Logan County Council for the Disabled. Howdy enjoyed leather craft and woodworking in his younger years.

He was preceded in death by his father William, mother Zona, brothers Chris and Eric Nielsen and sisters Susan Knapp, Betty Buchholz, and Dorthea Nielsen.

Howdy is survived by his wife Mary L. Nielsen, daughter Desire' Barker of Buffalo Gap, S.D., son Cole (Krista) Nielsen of Buffalo Gap, S.D., sisters Lenora (Eddie) Psotta of Greeley, CO, and Edie Nielsen of OK, brothers in-law Pat Buchholz of Bakersfield, CA., and Phillip Knapp of Hot Springs, S.D., and Aunt Reva Griffith of AZ.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Post 20 803 Phelps Street Sterling, Colorado 80751.