Pauline Nickel

I. Pauline Nickel, 85, of Mountain Lake, passed away on November 27, 2025, at Oak Terrace Assisted Living in North Mankato.

Visitation will be held from 5:00–7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at Sturm Funeral Home in Mountain Lake, and will continue on Thursday from 9:00–10:00 a.m. A memorial service will follow at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 4, at Sturm Funeral Home. Burial will be at Mountain Lake Cemetery. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at www.sturmfh.com.

Pauline was born on July 26, 1940, to Palmer and Nellie Grace (Hanson) Nundahl in Viroqua, Wisconsin. She graduated from Viroqua High School in 1958 and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. While in college, she met the love of her life, Donald Nickel, and the two were married on June 27, 1964, in Windom, Minnesota. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised three children: Sonja, Daintri and Audi.

As a young mother, Pauline continued her passion for learning. She earned her master’s degree in Education from Mankato State University and later received her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.

Pauline’s professional career was rooted in education, service, and creativity. She began her work with the University of Minnesota Cottonwood County Extension Office before owning and operating her own interior design business, Bo’nic, where she blended her natural eye for color, architecture, and design. She later continued her career with the University of Minnesota Extension Office in Watonwan County, where she eventually served as district director for the University of Minnesota’s Extension Service. Pauline retired as the station head of the Southwest Research and Outreach Center in Lamberton—a role she deeply valued.

At home in Mountain Lake, Pauline was an active community member. She served on the Mountain Lake School Board for many years and was an early member of the Tuesday Study Club. She had a lifelong love of baking, crafting, and architecture. She especially enjoyed decorating and entertaining during Christmas, her favorite season.

Pauline is survived by her children, Sonja (Daron) Friesen, Daintri (Chad) Pedersen, and Audi (Alisa) Nickel; grandchildren, Signey (Tom), Marta (Joey), Margo (Eli), Ryan, Olivia, Reagan (Landen), Ethan, Briley, Kaylin, Tyler, and Eryn (Chase); great-granddaughter, Evyn; and her siblings, Paul Nundahl and Sonia Buhrow.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald, in 2022; and her brother-in-law, LeRoy Buhrow.