Obituary | Clarence Ardell Nikle of Grand Forks, North Dakota

Clarence A. Nikle, 88, of Grand Forks, ND passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2023, in Altru Hospital in Grand Forks.

Clarence Ardell Nikle was born on March 27,1934 in Grand Forks, ND the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Deitz) Nikle. He was raised in Grand Forks and graduated, in 1952, from St. James High School. Clarence went on to obtain his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of North Dakota.

Clarence enlisted in the United States Army on December 7, 1956 at Grand Forks, ND and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant.  He was honorably discharged from active military service, with the rank of 1st Lieutenant, on December 7, 1958, at Fort Sheridan, Illinois.  He returned to Grand Forks and served in the United States Army Reserve for 2 years.

Clarence married Mary Joan Jeffrey, on August 8,1959 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in East Grand Forks, MN.  Mary Joan was Clarence’s forever wife and she was by his side for the rest of his life.  Clarence started his work career as an accountant, for a short time, before he and his partner Allen Clement purchased Alden Braseth Plumbing and Heating. It took everything Allen had to get Clarence off the tractor and get inside and do the books.

In his spare time, Clarence was active in the community, serving on the Grand Forks City Planning and Zoning Committee for many years. Clarence loved to take on projects and was always building something, whether it was a duplex in town, lake cabin at Maple Lake, or shops and houses out on the point. In his retirement, he had a love for old cars and had the place to go to get a car part stripped. He was a longtime and active member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Grand Forks.

He is survived by his wife, Joann; his children, Jolene (Steve) Nokelby of Anchorage, AK and Jamie Nikle of East Grand Forks, MN; his siblings, Carol Moran and Joyce Anderson; grandchildren, Ashley (35), Tara (32), and Lucas (29) and great -grandchildren, Brayden (11), Zane (8), Zoe (6), and Preston (3mo).

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth and Joseph; his siblings, Kenneth Nikle, Leo Nikle, Wallace Nikle, Glaydce Wallace, Geraldine Neste, Winnifyred Severson, and a grandchild, Chelsey Nikle.

Memorial Mass:  3:00 p.m. Friday, March 10, 2023, in St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND.
Family Greeting:  One hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Friday.
A Gathering of Family and Friends: Will start at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 10 at the American Legion Post 157, 1009 Central Ave NW, East Grand Forks, MN 56721.
Interment:  In the spring, at Garden of the Evangelist’s Columbarium, Calvary North Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.
Military Honors:  Accorded at the time of interment, by members the American Legion Post 157, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3817, and the North Dakota Army National Guard.

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