Donald Harold Nickelson

Donald Harold Nickelson, age 80, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away on Monday, December 19, 2011, at Research Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. Donald was born on May 26, 1931, in Mound City, Kansas, the son of Charles B. Nickelson and Mattie Hunsaker Nickelson. He was a member of the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean Conflict. He was married to Frances Dean Miller at Garnett, Kansas in 1954. To this union three children were born. He was a self-employed truck driver, traveling in many areas of the country. Donald enjoyed truck driving until he had a split tire rim accident in June of 1978, which may have ended his career in trucking, but not his passion. Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mattie Nickelson; and his brother, Charles Nickelson Jr. He is survived by one son, Major Douglas Harold Nickelson and wife Sandy of West Palm Beach, Florida; two daughters, Debra Lee Nickelson Brooks and husband Bob of Garnett, Kansas; Kathi Marie Nickelson of Paola, Kansas; two brothers, Jack Nickelson of Gilbert, Arizona; Robert Nickelson of Garnett, Kansas; two sisters, Louise Rannabargar of Belton, Missouri; Mary Ellen Bowman of Emporia, Kansas; eleven grandchildren; Rachele Dawn Sutton of Garnett, Kansas; Ruby Dawn James and husband Cary of Ottawa, Kansas; SSG Joe Bill Sutton currently serving in Afghanistan and wife Samantha of Greeley, Kansas; and Shaye Lee Bemis of Garnett, Kansas; Kasey Couch and husband Matt of Weston, Florida; Brean Karimi and husband Ali of New York, New York; Heather Dunster and husband Tony of Kansas City, Missouri; Elizabeth Poland and husband Leland of Gladstone, Missouri; Damon Griffin and Dana of Lawrence, Kansas; Nicholas Griffin of Ottawa; Ashley Griffin of Colony, Kansas; fourteen great grandchildren, Haley Jo Dawn James, Carrington Dawn Doud, Tayven Madison Sutton, Braelyn Renee Sutton, Tucker Joseph Sutton; Wyatt Cooper Bemis; Anthony,Jr. Dunster; Jordon Dunster; Rylan Couch, Finley Couch; Beckett Couch; Trenton Stifter; Reece Stifter and Killian Kaufman. Private family services will be held at a later date.