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NICKERSON, Evelyn (Koziolek) 1935-2017

NICKERSON, KOZIOLEK

Posted By: County Coordinator (kermit)
Date: 4/16/2017 at 13:05:48

ST. ANSGAR, IOWA - Evelyn (Koziolek) Nickerson died unexpectedly on April 14 in Osage, Iowa, at the age of 82. Visitation is planned for Monday, April 17, from 4:30-7 p.m. at Visitation Catholic Church in Stacyville, Iowa. A Funeral Mass with Father Raymond Burkle officiating is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 18, at the same location with a reception to follow at the church hall. Burial will take place at a later date.

Evelyn was born on March 29, 1935, in Wells, Minnesota. She grew up on a farm and was active in 4H. She attended country school in a one room schoolhouse and high school in Freeborn, Minnesota, where she graduated in 1952.

After graduating from Mankato Business College at the age of 17, she began working for Hormel in Austin, Minnesota. Hard work was always a priority and she was very proud that she was able to buy her parents their first TV in 1953.

She met Verle Nickerson at a dance at The Terp Ballroom in Austin, Minnesota. They were married on an infamously frigid day of January 26, 1957. Over 10 years, the couple welcomed six children into their home. Over the years, Verle and Evelyn played in several 500 clubs during the winter season and took up a variety of hobbies including archery, cross-country skiing, yoga, bicycling and spin class.

Evelyn is remembered as a smart, caring and faithful wife and mother. Balancing a full time job at the Stacyville grain elevator and raising six busy and often rambunctious kids was no small challenge. Evelyn encouraged her kids to be active in sports and the arts, knowing how fulfilling both can be in their own way. One of her most fervent dreams was that all six children would graduate from college, and that dream came true. They also hosted a Costa Rican 4H exchange student in 1990, Anabelle Murillo, whom they loved like a daughter, traveling to Costa Rica the following year to be at her high school reunion.

She loved her garden and was a lifelong member of the St. Ansgar Garden Club winning many awards at the Mitchell county fair for her vegetables and floral arrangements. In fact, well into her seventies Evelyn had a garden with few rivals. For size and quality. Her children fought over her canned pickles, which were unofficially voted as the best in Mitchell County and beyond. Ironically, she recently revealed that she doesn’t even like pickles. She made them for everyone else’s pleasure. She also loved bird watching and really enjoyed the years they lived along the Cedar River. Turkeys, deer and other assorted wildlife were often visible from their large picture window.

Her devotion to the church was unmatched. From a very young girl, the Catholic Church was a focal point of her life. And for decades, she was a staple at the Stacyville Church, volunteering and praying for family, friends and those she didn’t even know. She made a pilgrimage to see Pope John Paul II in Des Moines in 1979. Few have earned the pearly gates of heaven as much as Evelyn.

Evelyn is survived by her husband Verle Nickerson of St. Ansgar, Iowa; six children: Don Nickerson (Laurie), Des Moines, Iowa, Greg (Jill) Nickerson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Nancy Lee, (Hans) Minneapolis, Minnesota, Joel Nickerson, St. Ansgar, Iowa, Doug (Candace) Nickerson, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Carmen Nickerson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Evelyn is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Autumn Nickerson, Los Angeles; Danny Lee, Minneapolis; Bryce Nickerson, St. Ansgar; Michael (Julia) Nickerson, New York, NY; Lars Lee, Minneapolis; Tyler Nickerson, San Francisco, CA; Ryan Nickerson, Estes Park, CO; Marcus Lee, Chicago, IL; Gretchen Nickerson, Des Moines, Iowa; Lauren Nickerson, Ames, Iowa; Nolan Nickerson, Cedar Falls, Iowa; Colin Nickerson, Cedar Falls, Iowa; two great-grandchildren: Avery and Elliot, Des Moines, Iowa, and siblings Anita Wilharm, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Rosemary Heins, Andover, Minnesota.

Evelyn is preceded in death by her parents Emily and Alexander Koziolek, and siblings Jane, Francis, Alex Jr. and Leon.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either: St. Ansgar Rescue Squad, Box 176, St. Ansgar, IA 50472 (or to St. Ansgar State Bank) or Stacyville Visitation Catholic Church, 218 S. 12th St., Osage, IA 50461.

Source: Mason City Globe Gazette, 16 APR 2017

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