Raymond Nicholson

Raymond Kenneth Nicholson, 95, of Wadena, passed away December 3, 2016, at the Elders Home in New York Mills.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Wadena Alliance Church, with Pastor Aaron Andrews presiding. Friends may call at the church Friday, Dec. 9, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will will also be held Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church.

Military honors will be provided by the Elmer Goche Post 3922, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wadena.

Burial will be in Leaf River Cemetery, Wadena.

Arrangements are with the Schuller Family Funeral Homes, Wadena. 

Raymond was born May 3,1921 to Arthur and Ruth Nicholson in Bluffton Township, Otter Tail County.  He served in the U.S. Army from August 1942 and was honorably discharged in November 1945. He served in WWII as a First Sargent in the Ninth Army Division, in an Armored Anti-Aircraft Artillery Unit. 

Raymond married Lois Gunn on May 12, 1943, at home in Ottertail County. They lived 70 years in their home in Wadena. Raymond began beekeeping at the age of 16 and it became a passion of his. After the Army he worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Wadena retiring in 1973. He began beekeeping full time and won many awards for his honey. Raymond enjoyed his family, attending family gatherings and was active in many organizations including: Wadena Alliance Church, Wadena Chamber of Commerce, Disabled Veterans, MN Honey Producers Assoc., American Beekeepers Federation, Lake Region and North Central Beekeepers, the Republican Party and MN Deer Hunters Assoc.

He is survived by his wife of 73 years; one son Daniel (Jan) Nicholson of Woodland Park CO; four daughters, Diane Koranda of Alexandria, Janet (Roddy) Sams of Staples, Sally Nicholson of Elk River and Ronda (Jim) Stumbo of Helena MT; 16 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and one great great-granddaughter; one brother, David Nicholson of Anoka; one 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, friends and fellow beekeeper Dan Kern of Wadena.

Raymond is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Roy and Gerald; one sister, Grace Shultze; and son-in-law, Joe Koranda.

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