Verllen Willis Nickolauson was born February 8, 1941 in
Shell
Lake
Township
near
Detroit Lakes
,
MN
to Gustaf and Hazel (
Clark
) Nickolauson.
He was raised and attended school through the 8
th
grade in
Shell
Lake
Township
.
He is a 1959 graduate of
Frazee
High School
. He served with the Army National Guard 1964-1969.
Verllen was united in marriage to Sandi Nelson, October 10, 1964 in
Fargo
,
ND
.
He was employed with Hill Crest Mink Ranch near
Detroit
Lakes
1963-1979; operated his own mink ranch 1979-1989; worked for Swift & Company in
Detroit
Lakes
until the plant closed and then drove truck for Steelwood Supply in
Detroit
Lakes
until retiring in 2006.
Verllen enjoyed his vegetable garden, attending his children’s activities, cutting wood and the outdoors.
He was a member of John Bridges Post 15, American Legion and
Bakke
Lutheran
Church
where he held numerous offices.
Survivors include his wife, Sandi of Detroit Lakes; 3 sons: Eric (Belynda) of
Detroit
Lakes
; Paul (Nicole) of Bismarck, ND and Mark (Darlene) of New Knoxville, Ohio.
6 grandchildren: Mitchel, Jacob, Miranda, Emma, Anna and Marshall; a step-grandson: Adam Sweeney; and a step-great granddaughter: Sophia; a brother: Donald (Carol) of Osage, MN.
He was preceded in death by a son, Jason in 1994; his parents in 1984 and 3 brothers: Elmer, Arvin and Daniel.
