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 and Stephanie Cerny, 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, several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Interment was in The Zastrow Cemetery, Cordova, NE.
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 and Stephanie Cerny, 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, several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Interment was in The Zastrow Cemetery, Cordova, NE.
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