North Bend native Henry Nissen (center) is honored by the IHSAA during the Iowa state basketball tournament.
Missouri Valley field named for Nissen
by Mary Le Arneal
published 4/01/09
North Bend native Henry Nissen was honored by Missouri Valley High School in Iowa with the naming of the football and track complex as the “Henry Nissen Athletic Complex” in his honor. Ceremonies were held March 18 for the official naming of the field that Nissen literally built himself.
In 1958 Nissen arrived at Missouri Valley as math teacher, head football, basketball, track coach and athletic director. He helped create a half-mile track around the town fairground bleachers. In 1960 Nissen organized the community to build a track and improve the football field that now bears his name.
Nissen officiated for over 30 years in basketball, football and track and field in Western Iowa. At this year’s Iowa state basketball tournament Nissen was honored by the Iowa State High School Athletic Association (IHSAA).
He is a member of the of the IHSAA’s Officials Hall of Fame and in 1987 was honored with a National Federation Distinguished Service Award.
Nissen is the son of Adolf and Annie Nissen and grew up on the family farm east of North Bend. He graduated from North Bend High School in 1943, served during World War II before graduating from Midland College. He later received his graduate degree from University of Nebraska in Omaha and spent 40 years in secondary education.
His brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Bev Nissen of North Bend, attended the naming ceremony and reception honoring Henry that followed.
In the North Bend History Book, Henry Nissen closes his entry with the statement “It all started in North Bend where we received the foundation needed to do the things we enjoy most.”
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