Nicolay, Charles Henry

Charles Henry Nicolay, 88, died Dec. 2, 2010, at Mercy Living Plus in Oelwein, where he had been a resident for eight months.  He now joins his spouse of 50 years, Lucille; son, Bill; and mother, Kathryn, all who preceded him in death.

Memorial Mass:  11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 6, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oelwein, with the Rev. Harry Koelker officiating. Gathering Time:  3 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Oelwein, where a military memorial service begins at 6:30 p.m. and a parish Scripture service at 7:30 p.m., both on Sunday. Private family inurnment: Woodlawn Cemetery, Oelwein.

Nick, as he was mostly known, is the father to 10 living children:  Mary Kay Casey, Peggy Sherrets (Jake), Mark Nicolay (Brenda), Sally Wildy, Tom Nicolay (Melanie), Bob Nicolay, Jack Nicolay (Patty), Paul Nicolay (Anne), Ann Haggard (Jim) and Carol Hayes; grandfather to 20 and great-grandfather to 12.

Born an only child, Nick grew up in Monmouth, Ill., and was educated by the Francisan Brothers in Quincy, Ill., before attending Gem City Business College and serving in the South Pacific in the Army during World War II.

After the war, Nick worked with his uncles in the bar and packaged liquor business and, for a short time was a fireman on the Minneapolis/St. Louis railroad.  As the family began to grow, Nick turned to the construction trades, first as manager of the Fullerton Lumber Co. in Rockwell City, Iowa and then as salesman for Kalo and United Brick and Tile companies.  He retired as purchasing agent from Seedorff Masonry in Strawberry Point.  Nick served as founding president of the Masonry Institute of Iowa from 1977-1989 and enjoyed the friendship and admiration of many in the trade.  

An avid outdoorsman and Chesapeake Bay Retriever enthusiast, Nick was a founding member of the local chapter of Ducks Unlimited.  He hosted many a hunters breakfast at Sacred Heart and in his home over the seasons.  He was also active in Boy Scouts with his sons.

A strong and influential man in business, Nick was no less so in his personal life, holding himself to the high standards that he expected of everyone around him.  A fierce Democrat, he helped launch a few political balloons from the Nicolay kitchen table. 

Although declining health slowed him considerably, he never let go of his sense of humor, smiling slyly and raising his enormous eyebrows when sharing a laugh with family and friends.   

A memorial fund has been established.

Online obituary at