LeRoy Nickelson

LeRoy Nickelson

A Celebration of Life for longtime Lamar resident, LeRoy Nickelson was held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at the Peacock Family Chapel with Reverend Ramon Robledo of the Lamar United Methodist Church officiating. Interment with full military honors under the auspices of the Lamar VFW Post #3621 followed in the Hartman Cemetery.

           Clarence LeRoy Nickelson Jr. was born on July 25th, 1917, on the family homestead located 20 miles southwest of Lamar, CO.  LeRoy was the oldest child of Clarence LeRoy Nickelson SR. and Mary Josephine Lucas Nickelson. LeRoy spent the first five years of his life on this homestead . LeRoy’s parents moved him and his two younger sisters to a farm west of Lamar when LeRoy was old enough to attend school.

          LeRoy spent all of his youth on a farm.  Both he and his siblings learned the value of a hard day’s work during these years that were often very difficult during the 20’s and 30’s.  He learned to take pride in his accomplishments, no matter how great or small. 

          In 1935, LeRoy graduated from Lamar Union High School.  He then attended Colorado University in Boulder where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Geology in 1940.   After graduating from CU, LeRoy found work in the Louisiana oil fields.  He met his future wife, Wynona Pearl Moyer before moving to Louisiana. Wynona, after graduating from Granada High School, joined LeRoy and they were married in Woodsville, Mississippi on May 26, 1941.  The couple continued to live in Louisiana until 1942.

          In 1942 LeRoy enlisted in the United States Army.   He attended officers training before joining many of his fellow Americans in Europe to serve his country in WWII.  First Lieutenant LeRoy Nickelson served as Executive Officer of Battery C in the 557th Field Artillery Battalion.  He was awarded a Bronze Star for “distinguished, heroic service against the enemy in France and Germany”. 

          After the war, LeRoy returned home to his wife and new baby, Alnita Mae, who was born a month after LeRoy had been deployed to Germany.  LeRoy and Wynona moved back to Lamar to farm and raise their daughter.  They added more children to their family:  Robert LeRoy born in1947, Brenda Mae born in 1950, Susan Mae born in 1957, and Diana Mae born in 1961.  The Nickelson family lived west of Lamar where LeRoy farmed, until 1965.  During his years on the farm both he and Wynona were active members of both the Democratic Party and The National Farmers Union. They donated 100’s of hours during their life time to both of these organizations.

          In 1965 LeRoy’s son, Robert, took over the family farm and LeRoy became the Superintendent of the Fort Bent Ditch Company.  LeRoy,  Wynona, and their three youngest children were in the process of moving to the Fort Bent head gate house located fourteen miles west of Lamar when the devastating 65 flood hit the area.  All of the Fort Bent Ditch and head gates were heavily damaged. LeRoy then began the job of major reconstruction of the entire Fort Bent ditch. For the next 21 years, LeRoy was employed by the Fort Bent Ditch Co. until in 1986 his health forced him to retire.

          LeRoy and Wynona, moved back to Lamar to live on LeRoy’s parent’s family farm, west of Lamar.  Wynona passed away the following year on June 28, 1987, after 46 years of marriage. 

          After retirement LeRoy kept busy.   He was both an avid checker and chess player.  He traveled with friends and participated in many chess tournaments. He taught chess to young people in the area along with his grandchildren.  He took great pride in his proficient gardening skills. During his active retirement he provided his family and friends with an abundance of vegetables and fruits from his prolific garden and orchard. His grandchildren especially enjoyed his mammoth pumpkins and his bird feeders.  LeRoy was also an active member of the Prowers County Historical Society and National Audubon Society. His greatest enjoyment in life always remained his family.

          LeRoy passed away at his home west of Lamar on May 23rd, 2014 with his family by his side.  He was 96 years and 10 months old at the time of his death.  He leaves behind family members including one son, Robert Nickelson (Toni) of Lamar, four daughters:  Alnita “Nita” Cameron of Lamar, Brenda (Steve) Kinser of Lamar, Susan (Kent) Fisher of Lamar, and Diana (Steve) Gleichmann of Denver, two sisters; Marylin Idler of Lamar, Rosalie Fein of California, one brother Dan(Susan) Nickelson of Virginia, brother-in-law Wil Moyer(Judy) of Utah, 20 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren and 8 great, great  grandchildren.  LeRoy was preceded in death by his wife, Wynona Nickelson; his parents, Clarence and Josephine Nickelson; and one sister, Georgia Munger.

He will be greatly missed by his many family and friends.

The Nickelson family would like to give a special thanks to all who have taken such good care of our dad from the people at PMC to the Lamar Area Hospice. Dad had very kind, caring care givers. Also, a special thanks to Bradley and Caroline for always being there day or night to lend a helping hand.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Lamar Area Hospice either direct or in care of the Peacock Funeral Home.