In Loving Memory Of G. Fredric Nickel

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cordova with Rev. Karen Uden Tjarks and Rev. Paul Konig officiating. Interment will be in Zastrow Cemetery, Cordova. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 11am-8pm with the family receiving relatives and friends from 6-8pm at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, Friend. Memorials have been established to Friend American Legion Post #183 or to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church.

G. Fredric Nickel, was born on November 6, 1932 in Lincoln, Nebraska and passed away on Sunday, January 27, 2013, at Friend Manor in Friend at the age of 80 years, 2 months and 21 days. As a young boy he was baptized and confirmed at the Cordova Lutheran Church. He attended Exeter High School and graduated with the class of 1950. He was affectionately known by family and friends as Fred, Nick and Freddy.

He enlisted in the US Navy and served the USS Boxer aircraft carrier during the Korean War and a round-the-world cruise on the USS Hornet. While stationed in San Jose, California, he met the love of his life and was united in marriage to Joy Hester at the Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church in San Jose, CA on January 11, 1953. They were blessed with three children, Susan, Steve, and Dave.

Upon his honorable discharge from the US Navy in 1954, he farmed for 26 years in the Friend area, raising Angus cow/calf herds. He also owned and operated Nickel and Sons Heavy Equipment Construction business. He was an avid conservationist and fisherman. In 1980, he moved to Cordova and served as the Assistant Postmaster until his appointment as postmaster in 1988, retiring in 1997.

He was very patriotic and was a member of the American Legion Ford Banka Post #183, Friend, served as Post Commander in 1965 and received his 50-year pin in 2005. He was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cordova. Fred also served on the precinct committee for Saline County, Village Board for Cordova, the country school board and on the board of the Friend Co-op Gas and Oil for 12 years. He was also a member of the Nebraska Angus Association.

He was an avid country music fan and enjoyed getting together with his family and friends singing and playing old time country music. He loved working in his garden, enjoyed the outdoors and fishing and camping with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joy Nickel, Friend, daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Mike Cerny, Ashland, NE, sons and daughters-in-law, Steve and Cindi Nickel, York, David and Joyce Nickel, Friend, ten grandchildren and spouses, Angela and Bill Whitaker, Montomery, TX, Brent Cerny and Stephanie Oldaker, both of Ashland, Brian and Kellie Cerny, Papillion, Gina and Tyler Rains, Lincoln, Julie Nickel and special friend, Christiaan Minella, Lincoln, Andrew Nickel, Lincoln, Jason Nickel, Jessika Nickel, Lincoln, Justin Nickel and Joshua Nickel both of Friend, six great-grandchildren, Robert and Keaton Whitaker, Wave Cerny, Hannah, Adalyn and Cameron Cerny, sister, Mary Fleharty, Lincoln, NE, step-brothers and spouses, Dale and Dorothy Due, Friend, Kenneth and Kack Due, Cordova, step-sister, Betty Papik, Cordova, several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his step-brother-in-law, Ervin Papik.