Obit: Nickel, William Herman #2 (1935 - 2011)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Nickel, Bartz, Foemmel, Moeller, Tilson, Streeter, Moede, Hafner, Bower, Grassman, Vandeberg, Goodman, Ryan, Krainz, Schneider  

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) August 31, 2011

Nickel, William Herman (2 September 1935 - 23 August 2011)

William H. Nickel, 75, returned to the heavenly Father, Tuesday evening, Aug. 23, 2011, at his home in Granton with his family by his side.  William Herman Nickel was born Sept. 2, 1935, to Raymond and Ruth (Bartz) Nickel in Clark County.  William went to Zion Evangelical Lutheran School, Clark County Grade School, and graduated in 1953 from Granton High School.

He was united in marriage to Sylvia Helyne Foemmel Aug. 18, 1956, at the Zion Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in Granton. After their marriage, they lived and farmed on Bill’s parents’ home farm for a couple years.  Then they purchased a farm of their own on Chili Road, where they raised their family of six children and one foster son.  William also did masonry full time for several years.

William was a very devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. God and his family were the most important and precious part of his life.  He loved to fish and go to the cabin up north. But the big Musky always eluded him.  (So, Dad, we hope there is a big lake full of fish in Heaven, and Uncle Don and you can work together to catch that big Musky.)  William also loved to deer hunt with his sons, grandsons and son-in-laws.  It was a family event every year.  William enjoyed gardening, tending to his honeybees, flowers and farming.

William was a member of Zion Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in Granton.  He held several offices on the church council through the years.  He enjoyed singing in the church choir, dancing and family gatherings.

William is survived by his children and grandchildren as follows: Debbie (John) Moeller, Derek, Jenna and Jared Moeller, Larry (Lisa Tilson) Nickel, Joshua Nickel, Christina (Don) Streeter, their children Bree Alexis and Beau William born Aug. 23, 2011, and Mark (Sara) Nickel, Daniel and Charlie Nickel, Susan (Gale) Moede, Melissa, Chelsea and Trenton Moede, Dale (Ladonna) Nickel, Dana, Dustin, Travis and Angela Nickel, Dean (Susan) Nickel, Brady, Skylar and Pierce Nickel; foster son, Donald (Debbie) Hafner, Valerie, Vicky (Chris) Bower, their daughter Amania, and Don Hafner Jr.

He is also survived by his wife, Irene (Grassman) Nickel (he married May 10, 2008), and her children, Ronald (Marilyn) Vandeberg, Betty (Richard) Goodman, Joanne Grassman, Gary Grassman and Patty (Mike) Ryan; his sister, Maryann (Robert) Krainz; a sister-in-law, Lolita Nickel; brother-in-law, Jerome Foemmel; and mother-in-law, Florence Foemmel; many nieces and nephews; and his dog, Brandy.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sylvia, Dec. 6, 2001; his parents Raymond and Ruth Nickel; and his brother, Donald Nickel.

Dad, we want to thank you and mom for being the most loving and caring parents to us and your grandchildren.  We will miss your laughter, your beautiful, gentle blue eyes and your hugs.  Give Mom a hug and kiss from all of us.  We will see both of you in Heaven someday.  You will be greatly missed. Love, your children and grandchildren

Funeral services for William will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011, at Zion Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in Granton. Visitation for friends and family was held Tuesday, Aug. 30, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville.  Pastor Stephen Nickel, William’s nephew, will conduct the service along with Pastor Terry Schneider.  Music will be provided by Joanne Grassman, pianist, and grandchildren, Melissa and Trenton Moede, soloists.

Interment will be in the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery next to the love of his life, Sylvia, his wife of 45 years.

Pallbearers will be son, Dean Nickel, grandsons; Joshua Nickel, Derek Moeller, Jared Moeller, Daniel Nickel, Charlie Nickel, Dustin Nickel and Travis Nickel.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting William’s family with funeral arrangements.