Cover photo for Gary Nickels's Obituary
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Gary Nickels

December 29, 1945 — June 17, 2022

Gary Nickels

Gary Theodore Nickels, 76, of Mankato, died June 17, 2022 at his Lake Cabin on German Lake surrounded by family.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 1, 2022 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of German Lake, 22693 German Lake Rd, Cleveland. Visitation will take place from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, June 30, 2022 at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Dr. in North Mankato and one hour prior to the service at the church. Livestreaming will be available at www.mankatomortuary.com. The family prefers memorials be given to the FOCP (Feeding our Communities Partners), Mayo Hospice, Mankato or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of German Lake.

Gary was born December 29, 1945 to Elmer and Dorothy (Schulz) Nickels in Mankato. He graduated from Mankato High School in 1964. He served in the US Army during the Vietnam War from 1965-1967. Gary graduated with the first baking class from Mankato Vocational Technical College in 1970. He was a baker from 1970 until his retirement in 2013. He worked for Madsen’s, Randall’s, and Cub foods.

Gary was a member of the Morson-Ario-Strand VFW Post 950 in Mankato, the American Legion Post 311 in Elysian, and a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of German Lake. He was also a volunteer at the FOCP Backpack program.  In his free time, Gary enjoyed golfing, fishing, bowling, playing cards, and he and Nancy were long-time season ticket holders of the MN Vikings and Maverick football and Hockey teams. He also enjoyed watching the MN Twins, Wild and Maverick basketball. Most of all, Gary’s happy place was to be at his cabin on German Lake gardening, landscaping, visiting with his neighbors, and enjoying lake time with family and friends.

Gary is survived by his wife of almost 54 years, Nancy; children, Jeff (Heather) Nickels of North Mankato and Jay (Jenn) Nickels of Henderson, Nevada; grandchildren. Jordan (Karissa), Jarrid, Jaxon, and Jaren; great-grandchildren, Sylvie and Kyzer; siblings, Janet Carriere, DeWayne Nickels, DeEtta “Penny” (Jim) Steever, Beverly Nickels, Dean Nickels, Laurie (Dennis) Daufenbach, and Jim (Tracy) Nickels; sisters-in-law, Bev Nickels, Shirley (Dr. Scott) Helmers, Judy (Dennis) Norman, Peggy (Dave) Moline, and Ann Jones; brother-in-law, Gary More; and many nieces and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bob; sisters, Jolene Nickels Mutch and Sharon Nickels; sister-in-law, Pam More; and brother-in-law, Doug Jones.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the Mayo Hospice team for their compassion and care they provided for Gary.    

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by Mankato Area Funeral Homes.

Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gary Nickels, please visit our flower store.

Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, June 30, 2022

4:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

Northview - North Mankato Mortuary

2060 Commerce Dr, North Mankato, MN 56003

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Memorial Service

Friday, July 1, 2022

Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)

St Paul’s Lutheran Church of German Lake

22693 German Lake Rd, Waterville, MN 56096

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