Verda Nickel, 97

Verda Nickel, nee Schmidt, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, July 14, 2024, at approximately 11 a.m. in the Tieszen Memorial Home, 312 East State Street, Marion, S.D., at the age of 97 years. Verda was born on Sept. 2, 1926 to Peter and Lena (Goosen) Schmidt and raised on a farm near Marion.

Besides being a wonderful mother, Verda worked skillfully and tirelessly with her husband at their business, Al’s Studio, to make it a successful venture. She accompanied Al, to countless schools, and weddings, and became very skillful at hand-coloring photographs (before color photography existed) and print retouching. She maintained a garden, butchered chickens in her backyard, canned fruits and vegetables, and played hymns on the piano at home and church. Verda enjoyed sewing, quilting, crocheting, doing puzzles, and playing table games with family and neighbors. She loved to read, and most importantly, believed in, and loved the Lord Jesus, and looked forward to being in heaven with her Lord for eternity.

She is predeceased in her death by her husband of 69 years, Alvin A. Nickel; her brother LeRoy Schmidt; brother Walter Schmidt; and sister Viola (Schmidt) Curry.

Verda is lovingly remembered by her sons, Larry (Salem, Oregon) and Bruce Nickel (McDonald, Kansas), and daughter Sandra (Nickel) Bakke (Norton Shores, Michigan); also, by nine grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

A private family graveside gathering is planned at a later date.