Lyle Wilbur Nichols Obit

LYLE WILBUR NICHOLS, 94, of Crosslake, passed away at Golden Horizons in Crosslake. He was born on June 1, 1930 in Staples to Roy and Eleanor (Hodges) Nichols.   As a young man, he started working at M.A. Hanna Mining of Crosby with 85A electronic power machinery and moved to Lead, SD, to work with Homestake Mining Company (a gold mine) working the chute puller before joining the Army.  He was stationed out of Ft. Sheridan, IL, where he served in the Korean War.  He was honorably discharged ranking a Corporal.  He went to work for Northwest Paper of Brainerd, running forklift before being hired at Stadoka Construction Company working “the dump truck” as dad put it.  He also worked at Montgomery Wards in Brainerd in the warehouse until he joined the Northern Pacific Railway and later Burlington Northern Railway as track maintenance and laborer until his retirement. Retirement did not slow him down as he worked occasionally for Hasskamp Well Drilling as needed and also used his rototiller to plow garden spots for many area families throughout his many years. He enjoyed fishing, playing horseshoes, harmonica, cards, gardening and working in his yard and woods.  He loved his family.  He had a good sense of humor, was a hard worker, and was a good and patient teacher. He will be greatly missed! Preceding him in death are his parents; son, Gary Nichols; two brothers, Elmer and Marne Nichols; and two sisters, Iola Olson and Nellie Nichols. Lyle is survived by one son, Greg Nichols (Sue Kalleberg-Stevens) of Baxter; one daughter, Cindy Dorr (Bryan Bidinger) of Bemidji; one brother, Ken (Patricia) Nichols of Ironton; one sister, Joy Van Dorn of Washington; six grandchildren and numerous great -grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 31 at the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.  Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls at 3 p.m. Friday with full military honors.   Arrangements are with Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.