Vernon Lloyd Nikkel, 86, passed away Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014, at St. Francis Hospital, Wichita.
He
was born on May 26, 1928, to Henry P. and Martha (Dirksen) Nikkel in
Goessel. He was united in marriage to Lennea Oetinger on June 11, 1950,
in Morganville. Vernon received his bachelor's degree from
Bethany College, and his master's from Kansas State Teachers College.
Vernon was a music teacher at Roxbury and Hesston Public Schools. In
1965, he joined Excel Industries as director of Industrial Relations. He
retired after 30 years and went to work at Legg Company where he
retired in 2013. He was a member of Hesston United Methodist Church
where he taught Bible study and Sunday school. Vernon also served
on the board of directors for the Kansas Learning Center for Health.
Once Vernon decided to slow down he became a member of the Silverhaired
Legislature.
Left to cherish Vernon's memory is his wife, Lennea,
of the home; son, San (Lisa) Nikkel, of Moundridge; daughter, Greta
(Bill) Baack, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; two grandchildren; and one
great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry P. and Martha.
A
memorial service with visitation afterward will be at 7 p.m. Thursday,
Aug. 28, 2014, at Hesston United Methodist Church, Hesston, with Pastor
Keith Schadel officiating. Private family inurnment will be held at a
later date. Memorials are suggested to Hesston United Methodist Church or
American Diabetes Association
; and may be sent in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, 107 S. Lancaster, P.O. Box 32, Hesston, KS 67062.
