Leo D. Nikkel, 83, of Pella passed away Friday, Oct. 9, 2015, at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella. Committal service at the Peoria Cemetery preceded the memorial service. The family prefers memorial donations be designated for the Pella Christian High School Endowment Fund or the Norfolk (Virginia) Christian School Endowment Fund.
Leo Donald Nikkel was born May 5, 1932, at his parents’ farm home southeast of Lynnville. He was the seventh of 10 children born to Teunis and Nellie (Stek) Nikkel. Leo received his formal education in a one-room school house near Lynnville and the Sully Christian School. As a young lad, he helped his dad on the family farm.
In November 1952, he enlisted in the Armed Forces of the United States, served his two-year active duty obligation, and was discharged from the U. S. Army Reserves in October 1960. Following his discharge, he was a member of the American Legion Post No. 89 of Pella and helped Rolland Knopf with farming. It was at this time one of his closest friends, the late Larry Kooistra, suggested Leo stop in the Sully Co-op where a cute gal, Joann Swank, worked. The rest, as they say, is history as Leo and Joann were united in marriage on June 4, 1957, at the Peoria Christian Reformed Church. Leo and Joann were blessed with three children. Leo was a loving, but firm father who set a strong example of Christian faith.
He eventually became manager of the Terpstra & Van Maaren grain elevator in Newton and a marketer for Sinclair Oil Company in Newton. From 1967 until 1995, he was a sales representative and division manager for Walnut Grove Products. Leo represented the company well and was always well received and respected by his agricultural customers. He not only knew his 4x4 products, but brought a jovial demeanor and farming experience. Leo received 16 salesman award trips to the sun belt with Walnut Grove and retired in 1995 when Cargill, Inc. eventually purchased the company.
Leo had been a fastpitch softball pitcher, and on July 27, 2002, was inducted into the "Iowa Softball Hall of Fame.” He enjoyed fishing, hunting, cooking, playing card games, puzzles, and Wii golf with his grandsons.
Leo suffered a major stroke on Oct. 1, 2014, and became a resident at Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa in April 2015.
Leo is survived by his wife, Joann; their three children and their families: Penne (Douglas) Fox of Pella and their two children: Allison and Derek Fox; Rick (Lynn) Nikkel of Norfolk, VA, and their son, Matthew Nikkel; Susanne (Randy) Hileman of Pella and their two sons: Joshua and Lucas Hileman. Of his original family Leo leaves two sisters: Harriet (Robert) Zylstra of Pella and Sylvia (Gysbert) Menninga of Oak Park, IL; two brothers: Bruce (Joyce) Nikkel and Nelson (Norma) Nikkel, all of Pella; his sisters-in-law: Anna Mae Nikkel of Sully, Lucille Nikkel of Grinnell, and Louise Nikkel of Oskaloosa; and the following sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Thressa Deur and Flora Kooistra both of Pella, Milly Lanser of Grand Rapids, MI, Ronald (Nancy) Swank of Sully, and Art (Ginny) Swank of Olathe, KS.
Leo was preceded in death by his parents; his parents-in-law, Bert and Cobie Swank; two sisters: Cornelia and her husband, Fred Loynachan, and Jennie and her husband, John Van Maanen; three brothers: James, Edward, and Wilbur Nikkel; his brother-in-law, Robert Zylstra; his sister-in-law, Janice Nikkel; and the following sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Leona and Lester Van Wyk, Junior Deur, Harriet and Jim Jonker, and Virgil Kooistra.
Leo was baptized as an infant at the Sully Christian Reformed Church and was a member of the Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella.
He will be remembered for his hearty laugh, helpful spirit, and his strong example of faith. Leo loved the Lord.
