Raymond Nicholson

Raymond Kenneth Nicholson, age 95 of Wadena, passed away peacefully at the age of 95 years on Saturday, December 3, 2016, at the Elders Home in New York Mills. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at the Wadena Alliance Church in Wadena with Pastor Aaron Andrews presiding. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 5:00 until 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Saturday from 9:30 AM until the time of services. Raymond was born May 3,1921 to Arthur and Ruth Nicholson in Bluffton Township, Otter Tail County, MN. He served in the US Army from August 1942 until his honorable discharge in November 1945. He served in WWII in a leadership role,as a First Sargent in the Ninth Army Division, in an Armored Anti-Aircraft Artillery Unit. Raymond married Lois Marcia Gunn on May 12, 1943 at home in Otter Tail County MN. Together they lived 70 years in their home on the East side of Wadena. Raymond began his beekeeping at the age of 16. After the Army he worked for the Wadena US Postal Service until retirement in 1973. At that time he began keeping bees full time which was his passion. He won many awards for his honey at the State, National and International levels. Raymond enjoyed his family and attending family gatherings. Raymond was active in many organizations including: Wadena Alliance Church, Wadena Chamber of Commerce, Disabled Veterans, MN Honey Producers Association, American Beekeepers Federation, Lake Region and North Central Beekeepers, the Republican Party, and MN Deer Hunters Association. He was a long time member of these organizations plus held various leadership roles. Raymond is preceded in death by parents Arthur and Ruth; brothers Roy and Gerald; sister Grace Shultze; and son-in-law Joe Koranda. Survived by his wife of 73 years, Lois Nicholson; son Daniel Ray (Jan) Nicholson of Woodland Park CO; daughters Diane Lois Koranda of Alexandria, Janet Joy (Roddy) Sams of Staples, Sally Rose Nicholson of Elk River, and Ronda Ruth (Jim) Stumbo of Helena MT; 16 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great granddaughter; brother David Nicholson of Anoka; sister Florence Petersen of Randolph WI; brother-in-law Loren Gunn of Wadena; and sisters-in-law Verna Nicholson of Minneapolis and Viola Horner of Sauk Rapids; along with many nieces, nephews and friends. He is also survived by his bee-keeper mentee Dan “My Man Dan” Kern of Wadena. Military honors by fellow comrades of Elmer Goche Post 3922, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wadena, MN, Burial will be in Leaf River Cemetery, Wadena, MN.

Raymond Nicholson

May 3, 1921 - December 3, 2016