Melvin Delbert Nicholas was born on Aug. 18, 1911, in Plover, Iowa, the son of Alfred and Alma (Hilton) Nicholas. He was baptized into the Lutheran faith in Iowa and attended school in Iowa, and Minnesota, when the family moved to Felton, Minnesota. On June 3, 1933, Melvin was united in marriage to Anna Sandberg and the couple moved to Wisconsin before moving back to Alexandria and later to Bremerton, Washington where Melvin worked in the Naval shipyard during World War II. They returned to Minnesota and the family farm in 1952 where they lived until Melvin's death. Melvin was very active in the community and known for his outstanding work with the Developmental Achievement Center (DAC) in Alexandria. During those years Mel also worked for the FFA and the Dairy Herd Improvement Association. He was also a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and had a hobby of gardening where he was second to none. Melvin died at the Douglas County Hospital on Tuesday, October 5, 1982 at the age of 71 years. He is survived by wife Anna Nicholas of Alexandria; sons Dale Nicholas of Juneau, Alaska; Gerald Nicholas of Oceanside, California; Randall Nicholas of Alexandria; Bruce Nicholas of Rochester, Minnesota; daughters Andrea Hinnenkamp of Anchorage, Alaska; Karen Nicholas of Anchorage, Alaska; brothers: Lawrence Nicholas of St. Paul; Roger Nicholas of Louisville, Kentucky; sisters: Thelma Knoth of Lafayette, Indiana; Cora Owens of Lafayette, Indiana and Marjorie Nicholas of Lafayette, Indiana. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Funeral services were Friday, Oct. 8, 1982 at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Holmes City, Minnesota with Rev. Karl Guhn officiating. Interment was in Christian Union Cemetery, Holmes City, Minnesota. Pallbearers were Walter Stoa, Harold Skoglund, Wilmar Mike, Larry Miles, Sam Van Beek and Alden Aslagson. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home
(Lake Region Press, Alexandria, Minnesota, Oct. 15, 1982 - contributed by #47962105)