ELLSWORTH — Robert Dale Nienke Sr., 77, died July 11, 2011, in Ellsworth. Born Mar. 14, 1934, at Ellsworth, he was the son of Reinhart H. "Rein" and Pauline C. (Zorn) Nienke. A former resident of Salina, he had lived in Ellsworth for six years. He was retired from Enron Corporation and was a United States Army veteran. On Aug. 5, 1956, he married Elaine McCarty in Holyrood. She preceded him in death on June 19, 2009.

He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Ellsworth.

Survivors include a son, Bob Nienke Jr. and wife Julie of Ellsworth; two daughters, Debra Nelson and husband Dean of Olathe, and Carol Boehler and husband William of Lincoln, Neb.; special friend Bernadine Bachman of Ellsworth; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be held 10 a.m. on Thursday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Ellsworth. Burial will follow in the Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Friends may visit from 1-8 p.m. Wednesday at Parsons Funeral Home in Ellsworth, with the family receiving friends 6-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church or Ellsworth County Cancer Fund, in care of the funeral home.