Donald Peter Nickel

Donald Nickel, age 85, of North Mankato, formerly of Mountain Lake, MN died on June 22, 2022, at Oak Terrace Assisted Living in North Mankato. A Celebration of Life visitation will be on Monday, June 27, 2022 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Sturm Funeral Home in Mountain Lake and will continue on Tuesday, June 28th for 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Service will be held at the Mountain Lake Alliance Church on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 10:00 am with Pastor Nick Strom officiating. A Masonic service will take place at the cemetery. Interment will be at the Mountain Lake City Cemetery immediately following the service at the church. Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Mountain Lake, MN. Online condolences and memories may be left for the family of Donald at www.sturmfh.com http://www.sturmfh.com. Donald Peter Nickel, age 85, passed away on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at Oak Terrace in North Mankato, MN after a courageous battle with cancer. Don was born January 19, 1937, in Midway township to Peter and Linda (Loewen) Nickel. He was baptized at Gospel Mennonite Church. Don graduated from Mountain Lake Public School in 1954. After graduation he attended the University of Minnesota and then was drafted into the Army. He was stationed in Leavenworth, Kansas from 1960-1963. Following his years of service, he farmed in Midway and Carson townships. On June 27th, 1964, he was married to (Inger) Pauline Nickel, by Pastor David Jacobson in Viroqua, Wisconsin. They established roots in Mountain Lake, MN where Don began farming the family land. They would later have 3 children, Sonja, Daintri and Audi. Don and Pauline attended American Lutheran Church in Windom, MN and later years, and in later years Trinity Lutheran Church in Mountain Lake, MN. Don was an avid member of many associations and boards that he was very proud of. They included The Minnesota Soybeans Association, Soybean Council, Westbrook Mutual Insurance, The Masonic Lodge, Cottonwood County Fair Board, and 24 years Don was a member of the Board of Directors at Southwest State Bank, which later became Triumph State Bank. While he was actively participating on these boards his favorite pastime was traveling across the world to learn more about agriculture, with the MN Soybean Association. He enjoyed his travels and learning about other cultures and how he could change the look of agricultural farming. He visited and participated in meetings that would lead him to different embassies, where he would meet with influential leaders to educate himself on their farming techniques and how it could reform agriculture in the United States. Farming was Dons true passion. He was happiest when he was tending to the land and working on equipment. He always had a helping hand for a neighbor and a smile to welcome anyone onto the homestead. When not traveling or in a tractor Don could be found sitting in his favorite chair watching the Minnesota Vikings, Twins and Timberwolves. He was always hopeful the Vikings would make it to the Super Bowl…. Maybe someday… Don is survived by his wife, (Inger) Pauline Nickel; two daughters, Sonja (Daron) Friesen, Daintri (Chad) Pedersen; and one son, Audi (Alisa) Nickel all of Mountain Lake, MN. He has ten grandchildren he loved dearly. Signey, Marta and Margo Stoesz; Olivia and Reagan Christians, Michaela Cate, Ryan Pedersen; Ethan, Briley and Kaylin Nickel. Don had a special place in his heart for all his grandchildren and would light up a room with his smile anytime they walked in. His favorite thing to do was giving tractor rides. He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Linda Nickel and his sister, Mrs. Doris Christopher. Visitation 1 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Monday, June 27, 2022 Sturm Funeral Home, Mountain Lake Chapel 420 - 10th St. N. Mtn. Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Visitation 2 9:00 am - 10:00 am Tuesday, June 28, 2022 Mountain Lake Alliance Church-Mt Lake 809 - 5th Avenue Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Service Information 10:00 am Tuesday, June 28, 2022 Mountain Lake Alliance Church-Mt Lake 809 - 5th Avenue Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Reception There will be a time of lunch and fellowship after the Celebration of Life service and burial in the fellowship hall of the church.