Henry Nieto was born on June 23, 1959, at the New York Hospital in Manhattan, New York. He was the first-born child to Elba I. Mendez and Angel L. Santiago. He attended DeWitt Clinton High School where he graduated in 1977. He then enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. from 1978-1980. While in the Marines he had a pen pal which led him to move to Iowa in 1984. While in Iowa he was employed as a welder at places such as Franklin Equipment in Monticello and Marion Iron in Marion.

In 1985, he married his first wife Peggy Payne who has two boys (Joe and Jim), and they later welcomed 2 girls, Nyssa (1986) and Ayla (1988) to that family. They later divorced. He then went on to have three more children, Shanice (1992), Erik (1993), and Christian (2002). He met his second wife Lisa Nieto in 2005, and they later married in 2010. She has four children (Alyssa, Matt, Megan, and Elia) that he helped raise as his own.

He was a devoted father, son, brother, and uncle. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He loved his New York Yankees and anything that reminded him of his Puerto Rican culture, especially the food and music.

After a long battle with diabetes Henry was called to eternal rest on December 27, 2024. He will be missed by all who loved him. Henry leaves to cherish his memory a loving wife, Lisa; mother, Elba; father, Loui; sister, Mariluz "Cookie"; daughters, Nyssa (Anthony and a fur baby), Ayla (Dan and two boys), Shanice (Brain and two boys); sons, Erik and Christian; step children, Joe (one girl), Jim (one girl and one boy), Alyssa (Shelia and three boys and two girls), Matt (two girls), Megan (fur babies), and Elia (one girl); nieces, Epifania and Genesis; great nephew, Isaiah and great niece, Skylene; and a host of beloved relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his one grandchild.

A celebration of life will be held at Legacy Lanes in Monticello, IA on Sunday January 12, 2025, from 3-6 PM.

* Special thanks to all the family and friends that reached out and supported Henry and his family during this delicate time and to Above and Beyond and the Hospice team that took him into their care.