NICKEL - The family is very saddened to announce the death of Mr. Benjamin "Ben" Nickel, 76 years of Humboldt at Humboldt District Hospital on Thursday, December 6, 2012. Ben was born in Main Centre, SK on April 25, 1936 to John and Martha (nee Klassen) Nickel. He was the 3rd child born in a family of 12 and the oldest son. Due to the conditions in Saskatchewan during the 30's the Nickels moved to a small farm near Steinbach, MB where John farmed, painted, taught Bible School and filled in as a part time pastor in the Mennonite Churches. By happenstance Ben got the opportunity to enter the computer programming occupation in the early 60's. This led very quickly to advancements into statistics, accounting, teaching and management. It also meant much moving for the Nickel family from Ottawa to many areas of Western and Northern Canada. In 1988-89 Ben moved to Muenster and began employment with St. Peter's Press to develop a newspaper addressing system. In Jan 1990 he and Lee moved to Yellowknife, NWT to take on the job of administrator for the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith.
Due to Lee's deteriorating health they decided to return to Muenster and Ben semi retired and worked part time for St. Peter's Abbey installing the accounting system and trained personnel. Lee passed away on May 17, 1994 and Ben was devastated. Tony Varga had passed away the same year and Therese was as lost as Ben was and because of their years of established friendship they decided to quietly get married in January 1995. It was a major surprise to the family but the community enjoyed the event. Ben continued to volunteer in many organizations in the community from mowing lawns to income tax return preparations. Together Therese and Ben claimed 10 children and all their families. They thoroughly enjoyed their time together and on August 17, 2006 Therese passed away. Ben was devastated once again. He continued to live in Muenster and was very involved in Darren and Jewel's family. Later he moved to Humboldt and kept busy helping out at Sunset Manor. Ben will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his daughter, Veronica (Wayne) Evtushevski and granddaughter, Jensen of Sherwood Park, AB and son, Christopher Nickel of Edmonton and grandson Evan;
Therese's family: Darlene (Ed) Lasiuta and family: Tim (Karen) Lasiuta and children, Amanda (Jeremy) Rinas, Geoffrey, Natasha and Joshua; Michael (Darlene) Lasiuta and sons Shawn and Dylan and Glenn Lasiuta; Delmer (Rita) Varga and family, Tyrone (Kara) Varga and daughters Ella and Aida and Shawn Goller; Duane (Donna) Varga and sons Carson and Cole and Darren (Jewel) Varga and family Devin, Lyndon, Jenay and Skyler; Lee's children: Sherri Urlacher and daughter Angelina; Randy (Cheryl) Urlacher and children Ryan, Jeremy and Joshua; Marvin Urlacher and Delbert (Laurie) Urlacher and children Jericho and Jaylene; siblings: Ruth Ross, Rey (Anne), Ed (Betty), Bill (Eunice), Howard (Elsie), Cathy (John) Miller, Dan (Nadine), Phil (Linda) and Faith (Rick) Enns; numerous nieces and nephews and special friends Kim (Wendy) Adams. Ben was predeceased by his daughter, Felicity; parents John and Martha Nickel; wives, Lee (1994) and Therese (2006); sister and brother, Mary Williams and Ken Nickel. A Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. from Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home Humboldt, SK. officiated by Rev. Brenda Curtis with organist Elaine Siegel. Words of Remembrance were shared by Darren Varga. Honorary Pallbearers were "All those who shared in Ben's Life". As per Ben's request, his body has been donated to the Department of Anatomy for research. Memorial donations in Ben's memory maybe directed the Salvation Army. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to MALINOSKI & DANYLUIK FUNERAL HOME, Humboldt, SK.
God saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb,
So he closed your weary eyelids and whispered "Peace be thine".
