Eugene Nickolite

Eugene Nickolite, age 90, died Monday, April 15, 2019 at his home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Columbus.  Visitation is 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Tuesday with a 6:00 p.m. Vigil Service at McKown Funeral Home.  Visitation will continue Wednesday from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. also at the funeral home. Burial is in the St. Bonaventure Cemetery with military honors by Hartman Post #84 American Legion Honor Guard.

Eugene Charles Nickolite was born on December 19, 1928 in Columbus, Nebraska to Charles and Emma Nickolite, the fourth of their 16 children. He grew up in Columbus and graduated from St. Bonaventure School in 1947. For a time period after high school, he was a part owner of Nick's Bar in Columbus. At the age of 22 he enlisted in the United States Army where he served in the Korean War, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant, receiving a Purple Heart for wounds received during battle. He served from October 5, 1951 – October 4, 1954. Upon his return from Korea he married the love of his life, Virginia Muhle on July 4 ^th , 1955 and had four children, Joy, Edward, Anthony, and Daniel. He attended classes at the University of Nebraska for a year shortly after his marriage before returning to Columbus. In 1972 he built his own home and moved just south of Columbus on a small acreage with a pond so he could enjoy his favorite hobbies of hunting, fishing, and homesteading. He was especially known for making and smoking his homemade Polish sausage. Gene was employed by Behlen Manufacturing as the chief cost estimator and retired in 1984. Among his favorite activities during retirement was traveling around the United States with Virginia in their RV. They also took trips to Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and made a special trip to Europe where he was privileged to have a front row seat to see the Pope. He was steadfast in his faith and proud to be a founding member of the Saint Isidore Parish of the Catholic Church in Columbus. He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans. He was honored to be selected as a model for the statue of the Korean war soldier on display at the Andrew Jackson Higgins Memorial at Pawnee Park in Columbus, Nebraska.

He is survived by: Virginia Nickolite (Muhle) - Spouse, Bellwood, Nebraska; Joy Nickolite - Daughter, Papillion, Nebraska; Edward and Patricia Nickolite - Son, Toledo, Ohio; Daniel Nickolilte - Son, Bellwood, Nebraska; Robin Nickolite – Granddaughter, Phoenix, AZ; Anthony Nickolite – Grandson, Toledo, Ohio; Christopher and Allison Nickolite – Grandson, Toledo, Oh; Danielle Nickolite and Brian Wemhoff - Granddaughter, Colon, Nebraska; Ashley Nickolite and Nick Rongish – Granddaughter, Columbus, Nebraska; Kaylee and Mike Medlar – Granddaughter, Lincoln, NE

Great-Grandchildren: Jocelyn Nickolite, Payton Wilson, Lilly Eslinger, Deegan Eslinger, Bailey Rongish, Hazzel Medlar.

Extended Family: Ted and Birdie Nickolite- Brother, Bellwood, NE; William and Mary Nickolite – Brother, Hershey, NE; Mark Nickolite – Brother, New Mexico; Joan Cech – Sister, Columbus, NE; Nancy and Jerry Gabel -Sister, Columbus, NE; Sharon Nickolite – Sister, Columbus; NE, + Many Nieces and Nephews

He was preceded in death by Anthony Nickolite – Son, Charles and Emma Nickolite – Parents; Edward and Magdalena Muhle – Parents-in-law; Brothers: Charles Jr, Virgil (Judd), Richard, and Dewey Nickolite; Sisters: Betty Roberston, Charlene Hoegrel, Claire Ann Hopkins, and Linda Fleischer.