Verlyn Nickel

The family prefers memorials to Mennonite Central Committee. Verlyn Theodore Nickel, the son of Theodore W. and Katherine (Wiebe) Nickel was born on March 22, 1944 at Mountain Lake, MN. He graduated from the Mountain Lake High School and continued his education at Worthington Jr. College, Bethel College in North Newton, KS, and the University of Minnesota. Verlyn was baptized upon confession of his faith on May 22, 1960 and was a life long member of Bethel Mennonite Church in Mountain Lake. He followed God's calling in many capacities including Sunday school teacher, youth sponsor, trustee, church moderator, deacon, and various committees. On December 2, 1972, Verlyn was united in marriage to Jo Ann Ross at Bethel Mennonite Church. They made their home and farmed NW of Mountain Lake, moving to his home farm in 1977. He raised started pullets and shorthorn cows. Upon retiring from farming he worked for the U.S. Postal service and the Mountain Lake School District. He enjoyed driving bus and encouraging youth to achieve to the best of their potential. He especially enjoyed the sports events and encouraging the teams. Verlyn's love of livestock started at a young age with his cat Nancy. As he grew his knowledge of livestock did also. His family was involved in 4-H and FFA, so by the time he joined 4-H he was able to identify pedigrees of Shorthorns, as well as Poland China hogs. He enjoyed showing at County and State fairs until his children completed their 4-H and FFA years. He has always had a love for God's land and His creations. Verlyn strove to tend God's land throughout his life. He started working for the Cottonwood County Soil and Water Conservation District after college. During his ten years of working for SCS he designed waterways, field wind breaks, livestock feedlots, soil erosion and minimum tillage plans, and he planted thousands of trees throughout Cottonwood County. His work can be seen throughout the county. After the passing of his father in 1977 he was appointed to the SCS board of which he was still a member. He was an original member of the BERBE board covering the Blue Earth River Basin. BERBE received grant monies to put practices on the land. Verlyn was a 4-H leader in the Carson Climbers/Loyal Lakers 4-H club, in 1996 he received the Friend of 4-H award. As a 29 year member of the Cottonwood County Fair board Verlyn saw many changes in area agricultural trends and was able help and encourage many area youth. Verlyn's family remembers him as being supportive of any interest they had or wished to pursue. Whether it was his interest or not, he did all he could to learn about it and be helpful. Verlyn died on Friday, June 19, 2009 at his farm home near Mountain Lake. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Arvalda Anderson; and a brother in infancy. Verlyn is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Nickel of Mountain Lake; three sons, Kevin Nickel and his wife Kendra of Harrisonburg, VA, Scott Nickel of Lynchburg, VA, and Brian Nickel and his wife Kelli of Windom, MN; two grandchildren, Eliott Ellie and Ethan Nickel; two brothers, Roger Nickel and his wife Laura of Brooklyn Park, MN and Loren Nickel of Overland Park, KS; a brother-in-law, Ernest Anderson and his wife Judy of Glenwood, MN (formerly of Benson, MN); many other relatives and friends.