Gene Nicholsen

Gene R. Nicholsen of Moorhead, MN, died Sunday, April 10, 2016, at Sanford Health, Fargo, ND, surrounded by his family and friends.

Gene Raymond Nicholsen was born June 14, 1938, on the farm in Bottineau County, ND, to Neivus and Frances (Watson) Nicholsen. He grew up in the Maxbass, ND, area and graduated from Maxbass High School in 1956. Gene attended Minot (ND) State Teacher's College and the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, and graduated with a bachelor degree in Industrial Engineering from North Dakota State University, Fargo, in 1962. On September 1, 1963, he married Judith "Judy" Fossum in Mohall, ND.

Gene spent the first half of his career in the electronics industry working for Collins Radio in Anamosa, IA, Honeywell in Minneapolis, MN, and Control Data in Aberdeen, SD. The second half of his career was as a Management Engineer in the health care industry, working at Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital in Omaha, NE, East Texas Medical Center in Tyler, TX, and St. Luke's Hospital in Fargo. He retired from American Crystal Sugar in Moorhead. Each career advancement involved moving to a new city, so Gene and Judy made friends in many cities across the country.

Gene always loved having a garden and was known to ride his 'little red tractor' whenever he could find an excuse to do so. He loved anything living- animals, plants, trees - and planted over 70 trees in the various places he lived. He loved to play cards of any kind and was a great dancer, especially the waltz. He also square danced. He ran 10 K races, too many to count.
Gene and Judy were a team who worked tirelessly for the disabled, in person and in the legislature in Nebraska. He was often found down in his shop building something to help Kristi. Most prevalent was her standing table, where she stood to play while strengthening her legs.

Gene loved to travel and in recent years really enjoyed cruises, making ten of them. They included two Caribbean, Alaska, Canada, two cross-Atlantic, Panama, Hawaii, and in January 2016, a fourteen day cruise in South America and around Cape Horn. While on this last cruise, he went white water rafting and kayaking in the Straits of Magellan. Gene could not stop talking about the wonderful time he had on the cruises.

Gene was very active in his church, wherever he lived. At Good Shepherd he was a member of Helping Hands, ushered, served communion, and belonged to the game night group. His always positive outlook on life came from his deep faith and love of family. Gene demonstrated his love for his family in so many ways. In his earlier years he liked to play golf, but gave that up to help his family, especially Kristi. The support given to his daughters as they grew was amazing. We called it his harem, with three girls; even the dogs and cats were female.

He is survived by his wife, Judy of Moorhead; three daughters, Kristine "Kristi" Nicholsen of Moorhead, Carrie Nicholsen of Columbia, MD, and Katherine "Kathy" or "Kat" Nicholsen of Moorhead; siblings, Dr. Leon (Ramona) Nicholsen of Franklin, IN, Beverly (Marlan) Helgeson of Grand Forks, ND, Bonnie (Joe) Richardt of Huntingburg, IN, and Gregory (Kathy) Jorgenson of Harwood, ND; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Neivus Nicholsen; mother, Frances Jorgenson; stepfather, Oscar Jorgenson; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Oscar and Dagmar Fossum; brothers, Wayne Nicholsen and Joseph Nicholsen; two infant sons; and his precious grandson, Benjamin Thomas Nicholsen.

Visitation: Sunday, April 17, 2016, from 3 PM - 5 PM, with prayer service at 4:30 PM at Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.

Celebration of Gene's wonderful life: Monday, April 18, 2016, at 11 AM, at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 4000 28th St. S., Moorhead.

Final resting place: the Columbarium at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead, on Tuesday, April 19, 2016.

Memorials can be sent to Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd or charity of your choice.