NICKERSON, Verle 1930-2018

NICKERSON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 11/7/2024 at 16:45:10

VERLE NICKERSON

December 4, 1930-June 21, 2018

ST. ANSGAR, IOWA – Verle Nickerson passed away peacefully in St. Ansgar, Iowa, from natural causes in the early morning hours of June 21 -- the longest day of the, year and perhaps that is poetic as he lived a full life to age 87.

A funeral service will be held July 6, 2018 at Visitation Catholic Church in Stacyville at 10:00 a.m. with Msgr. John Hemann officiating. A visitation will be held the night before at Visitation Catholic Church from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Burial will be at the St. Ansgar Cemetery at a later date.

He loved music, kitties, horses and hunting. But more than anything he loved his wife and family. And anyone willing to strike up a conversation.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years who passed away last April. And he leaves a very close-knit family of six children who are celebrating his life. Don (Des Moines); Greg (Milwaukee); Nancy (Minneapolis); Joel (St. Ansgar); Doug (Cedar Falls); and Carmen (Milwaukee). Verle also had 12 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Born in Osage, Iowa to Harold and Rose Nickerson, Verle lived in many places during his childhood. After graduating from high school, he served his country in Korea. It left a lasting impression on him. He didn't love the travel to, and from, but in reading letters he sent home, the experience clearly was life-forming.

He talked about his strong desire to farm upon returning to the U.S. After marrying Evelyn, they lived and farmed for a short time near Taopi, Minnesota and created a life for them and their children built on strong values. They settled on a farm between Osage, St. Ansgar and Stacyville, Iowa.

Dad grew up a Methodist, but Mom was persuasive and he converted to Catholicism; the church was a major part of the family's lives. Dad was a staple in the choir for decades. He also sang with a barbershop choir, The Forty Milers, for many years. In fact, a group of seven of his buddies serenaded him during Verle's final days. What a touching tribute it was.

Over the years, he served on the board of directors for the Omaha region of the Farm Credit System. He loved being a member of the Mitchell County Sheriff's Reserve. And his sense of duty carried on as he served on the county's Veteran's Affairs Commission for years.

After raising six rambunctious kids and retiring from farming, Verle drove school bus for many years. He made quite an impression on those students and to this day comment on how kind and gentle he was. And those two words probably best describe his personality. Kind and gentle. We don't believe he ever had an enemy. He touched people's lives in the best way possible, always putting a smile on their faces. Now as he joins mom, he is as deserving as anyone who walked this earth to earn a place in Heaven.

The family would like to thank all the caregivers at the Osage hospital and St. Ansgar's Good Samaritan home. You made his days over the last year and a half as comfortable as could be. We are forever indebted to you.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Verle Nickerson Memorial and those funds will be directed to the St. Ansgar music department or the St. Ansgar Rescue Squad. Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, 641-713-4920, www.schroederandsites.com

SOURCE: Mason City Globe Gazette, 24 JUN 2018