Fred Nickelson Obituary

Fred S. Nickelson passed away April 11, 2007 at age 88. He was born February 19, 1919 to Sankey and Maria Nickelson about five and one half miles South of Coldwater Kansas. Fred was a Mr. Fix It. He could fix anything. If he couldn't find a part, he'd make one. If his boys needed a screwdriver or whatever, they'd go to Dad and he'd have it. He was a radio operator in the WWII Navy (and is now listed on the Wall of Honor), employed by Bemis Bag for 43 years and also an electrician. He is preceded in death by his siblings; Orville Nickelson and Anna Mae Nickelson (Hausley). He is survived by siblings; Chris Nickelson, Gatha Nickelson (Cobb) and Ralph Nickelson; children, Janet Nickelson (Mohoric) of Battle Ground, Glen Nickelson, Fred Vernon Nickelson, Wayne Nickelson, Marvin Nickelson, all of Vancouver, Anna Nickelson (Nelson); 18 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. Fred's father retired from farming in Kansas and the family moved to Oregon where Fred finished High School, started working pursing the electronics field where he was employed for 39 years. He really missed the watermelons they raised when they lived in Kansas. He felt the melons, especially the muskmelons, did not have flavor like the ones raised where they have warm nights and grew so fast. He loved his Kansas grown melons and every year would try to grow them. In honor of his memory, someone will keep trying to grow a big melon every year. Viewing will be Wednesday, April 18, 2007 from 5-9pm and April 19, from 10am-1pm at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, 1101 NE 112th Ave, Vancouver, Wash.. Graveside service will be April 19, 2007, 2pm at Memory Memorial Park, 6906 NE 144th St, Vancouver, Wash. A Memorial Service will be held at 3pm at Manor Evangelical Church, 17913 NE 72nd Ave. Hospitality will follow at 4pm.