Obit: Nikolay, Frank L. (1922 - 2011)

Contact:stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org  

Surnames: Nikolay, Illig, Grisvold, Talaska

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 12/13/2011

Nikolay, Frank L. (1 SEP 1922 - 10 DEC 2011)

Frank L. Nikolay, 89, of Abbotsford, died on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011, at Golden Living Center in Abbotsford. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, at Saint Bernard's Catholic Church in Abbotsford. Father Daniel Hackel will officiate. 

A time of visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.at the church on Friday. 

The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Frank was born on Sept, 1, 1922, in the town of Day, Marathon County, to Jacob and Anna (Illig) Nikolay. He attended grade school and graduated from Abbotsford High School at the age of 16. He then entered the University of Madison on a pre-law course. He was in the National Guard and served for a period at Camp Beauregard in Louisiana. When his enlistment ran out, and he was discharged, he returned to the University of Wisconsin. In 1942 he enlisted in the Navy and served at Pier 9 in Seattle and then in the South Pacific as a navy yeoman (ships clerk). He traveled from Marianna Islands to Leyte Gulf in the Philippines, Okinawa and Japan.

Frank was discharged from active duty in 1946 when he returned to University of Wisconsin law school and graduated in 1948. In 1948 he opened a law office in Abbotsford. In 1951 he turned the office over to his brother, Jack.

From 1952 to 1954 Frank was U.S. Attorney of the Western District. 

Frank was united in marriage on Aug. 3, 1957, to Mary E. Grisvold of Chippewa Falls.

In 1958 he was elected to the Assembly for Clark County, serving for 10 years as assistant Minority Leader and majority Floor Leader.

Meanwhile the firm grew to Nikolay, Jensen, Scott, Gamoke and Gruenwald with offices in Abbotsford, Medford and Colby.

Frank enlisted in 1950 in the 32nd Division National Guard as a private and rose through the ranks, retiring as a colonel in the Judge Advocate section after 30 years.

Frank was pleased to serve his communities in a variety of positions as village, city and town board attorney and also a founding director of the Abby State Bank and serving on the Clark County Board for 36 years.

Frank had many interests, first and foremost, the plight of his fellow man. He was an active Democrat his whole life. He believed in helping the "least of these my brethren." He could be a bull dog when he believed the situation called for it.

However, as "thank you" was never far from his lips, he would want to thank everyone who made his life a meaningful journey, with a special thanks to those who ministered to him in his closing days at Pine Ridge and Golden LivingCenter for the wonderful care.

Frank is survived by his wife Mary; a brother, Jim (Cleo) Nikolay; and a sister, Anne (Tom) Talaska; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Anna Nikolay; four brothers, Alfred, Melvin, Jack and George; and two sisters, Helen Archambo and Estelle Hess. 

Online condolences may be sent to www.maurinaschillingfuneralhome.comfor your convenience.