June 11, 1927 – April 12, 2022

Ernie passed away during the night peacefully on April 12. He was born in Husum, WA to Thelma and Ernest Elmer Nielsen, the second child of six children,

Ernie spent his childhood in Husum. Washington and began logging with his dad when he was in his early teens. He married Agnes Wang with three children Marv, Janet, and Ray. Soon René, their only son, was born in White Salmon. Ernie worked in Trout Lake and North Bend where he logged on Snoqualmie Pass and Mount Si. He yarded and loaded with a Washington TL12.

The family moved to Forks in the mid-60’s where Ernie started Nielsen Logging Company and logged on Hunger Mountain, Hoh River, Mt. Octopus, Owl Mt, and Sam’s River.

Always the innovator, Ernie looked for ways to improve all of his logging equipment, which included a Mark 4 Berger Tower, Skagit mobile yarder, Berger Skyline tower and Cat loader. He also ran an old dipperstick Northwest log loader and it was the source of many “riggin’ fits!” Ernie provided employment for many local loggers, fallers, and truck drivers for years in Forks. He was the hardest working man and a true 24-7 guy!

Ernie is survived by his son, René Gervais Nielsen and his wife Peggy Wiggins; his stepson Marvin and his wife Susan Nielsen; son-in-law Loren Dingwall; daughter-in-law Nancy Nielsen, stepson Ray Nielsen, and nine grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Forks Logger’s Memorial.