John Vincent Nissly was born on January 12, 1928, in Des Moines Iowa to John Harvey and Eva Pauline (Brewer) Nissly. Jack graduated from Dallas Center High School in 1945 and went on to Iowa State University. He graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics. He was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and continued his involvement over the years, attending the annual Founders Day event for seventy years. Jack joined the United States Marine Corps in July 1946 and served until January 1948. He recently participated in the Honor Flight to Washington DC.
After graduating from Iowa State, he was employed by Equitable Life Insurance Company of Iowa in Spencer until 1955 when he accepted a position with Osgood and Nissly Farm Managers in Iowa Falls. In 1979, he was joined by son Roger and it became Nissly and Nissly. Son Michael also joined the firm in 1982. Jack was in good health, living life to the fullest, and continued to work alongside his sons every day until the day of his passing.
Jack was married to Mary Louise Christensen on June 17, 1950, in Ames Iowa and to this union three sons were born: Roger, Bruce and Michael. On June 17, 2020, Jack and Mary Lou joyfully celebrated 70 years of marriage. They raised their family in Iowa Falls, Iowa where Jack was an active member of the community. He was a longtime active member of First United Methodist Church, Friends of Calkins Nature Center, American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, fifty-seven year member of the Rotary Club (A Paul Harris Fellow), and supporter of Ellsworth Community College. He served on the Iowa Extension Council and was a Hardin County Poll Watcher for many years. Jack will be remembered for his kindness and generosity. He not only took pride in his business, but truly relished the friendships and relationships he developed over the years. Jack was an avid Iowa State Cyclones fan and thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent with family. This scholarship was established by the Ellsworth College Trustees in honor of Jack for his dedication to Ellsworth Community College and was a long time land manager for Ellsworth Farms that were bequeathed to the ECC Trustee’s. Students applying for this scholarship need to be majoring in an Agriculture program.