Darrell Bryan Nikolaisen

Darrell Bryan Nikolaisen, age 95, of Cottonwood, Minnesota, passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, at the Prairie Home Hospice House in Marshall, Minnesota. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, May 20, 2015, at Christ Lutheran Church in Cottonwood. Interment will be at a later date in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:30-7:30 pm, Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at Christ Lutheran Church in Cottonwood, with a prayer service scheduled for 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service, from 10:00-11:00 am on Wednesday at the church.

Clergy Officiating: Rev. Jim Demke
Organist: Gwen Arneson
Congregational Hymns: Amazing Grace; Precious Lord, Take My Hand; Nearer My God to Thee; Great is Thy Faithfulness
Casket Bearers: Chad Mammen, David Loe, Mark Loe, Isaac Loe, Andrew Loe, Aaron Loe, Joshua Loe, Ethan Loe

Darrell Bryan Nikolaisen was born on February 20, 1920, in Rodney, Iowa. He was the son of Jacob and Viola (Hobbs) Nikolaisen. Darrell was baptized as an infant while the family lived in Iowa. In 1930, the family moved to Canby, Minnesota, where Darrell attended school. He attended Canby High School until 1937, when he moved to rural Clarkfield, Minnesota and worked on the family farm for three years. He returned to high school and graduated from Clarkfield High School in 1941.

On June 8, 1941, Darrell was united in marriage to Idella Hanson at Israel Lutheran Church in rural Clarkfield. The couple lived in rural Canby for six years, and had a daughter, Kathleen, in 1944. In 1948, Darrell and Idella moved to a farm outside of Hanley Falls, Minnesota. Then, in 1996, they moved into their home in Cottonwood. They shared over 57 years of marriage prior to Idella’s death on July 18, 1998.

Darrell was a devoted and hard-working man who felt proud to be a farmer. He was a past member of Israel Lutheran Church in Clarkfield, and a current member of Christ Lutheran Church in Cottonwood. His enjoyments in life included driving and travel, when he was not working on the farm.

Darrell passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at the age of 95 years, 2 months, and 22 days. Blessed be his memory.

Darrell is survived by his daughter, Kathy (and John) Loe of Cottonwood; three grandchildren, Meredith (and Chad) Mammen of Worthington, David (and Melissa) Loe of Hanley Falls, Mark (and Melinda) Loe of Arden Hills; nine great-grandchildren, Ashley, Isaac, Andrew, and Aaron of Hanley Falls, and Grace, Joshua, Rachael, Olivia, and Ethan of Arden Hills; brothers, Merle Nikolaisen of Clarkfield, and Dale (and Ardyce) Nikolaisen of Canby; sisters-in-law, Joyce Nikolaisen and Evelyn Hanson, both of Dawson; special friend and companion Marvis Ketelsen of Montevideo, and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, Jake and Viola Nikolaisen; wife, Idella Nikolaisen; brothers, Warren and Bob Nikolaisen; sister, Shirley (and Charles) Peterson; brother-in-law, Milo Hanson; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Nikolaisen and Helen Hanson; and nephews, David and Steven Nikolaisen.

The family invites attendees to the church basement following the service for a luncheon and time of fellowship.

Memorials and donations are preferred to Prairie Home Hospice of Marshall.