Ronald Nicklay

Ronald Joseph Nicklay, 75, Moorhead, Minn., died Saturday, October 11, 2014, in Sanford Health, Fargo.
Ron was born in Barnesville, MN, on March 23, 1939, to Fred and Lena (Watrin) Nicklay. Ron was the seventh child of eight and fourth son. He was baptized and confirmed at Assumption Catholic Church in Barnesville. He attended the Assumption Catholic School for the first eight years and the next four years at Barnesville High School, graduating in 1957.
In school, he lettered in track running the mile. While in school, he spent many hours in the woodworking shop. He was active in 4-H for 13 years, mainly in woodworking projects, which he exhibited at County and State Fairs. In 1959, he won a Grand Champion ribbon on a cherry curio cabinet that he built, and was awarded a trip to Chicago to represent Minnesota at the National 4-H Congress. Also that year, he won a Grand Champion ribbon on his demonstration on how to finish wood.
While growing up on the farm near Barnesville, he built three soap box derby cars and rode them in Fargo. He was sponsored by Fisch Lumber Co. in Barnesville. He also had a shop on the farm where he made lawn ornaments and small pieces of furniture, which he sold.
When he was in high school, he worked after school and summer months for Norby's department store. After graduation in 1957, Ron was employed by Rasmussen Woodworking in Moorhead. In 1959, he and Ernest Berglund went into partnership and started Berglund-Nicklay Woodworking. In early 1960, he built his first home in north Moorhead, and on September. 3, 1960, he married Valeria Krenzel of Fargo at St. Anthony's Church in Fargo.
In March of 1961, he started his own shop, which he ran until his death. Ron ran his business with the belief that a man's word and handshake were sufficient.
On September 1, 1961, Ron's daughter, Kimberly, was born. She was his pride and joy all his life. He was so proud of her as she went to college, then became an attorney, then a judge in Dallas. But the greatest thing was her two children. James and Micael, were one of his greatest joys in life.
Ron also had two sons, Ronald Jr., who died as a baby, and Lonnie, who died in 1981 at age 14 in a home accident. After Lonnie's death, Ron devoted the rest of his life into turning 2 1⁄2 acres of woods and pasture land at his lake into a memorial park in honor of his son. It is known as Lonnie's Park. Thousands of visitors have come to the park over the years.
For years, Ron had a picnic on the third Sunday of July. Val and Ron served a ham dinner with all the trimmings, including his famous baked beans. They also had music so guests could relax while they ate and visited with old and new friends. They had 175 or more guests every year. Val and Ron took great pride in the picnic.
Ron and Val spent 54 years together and traveled to many countries. Ron and Val built their second home in 1966 in south Moorhead, which they still own.
Ron did not fish, but he spent every weekend at their lake home working on the park and spending time with his love, Val. On their 50th wedding anniversary, September 3, 2010, they went on a two-week long cruise to Alaska, a gift from their daughter and her family.
Ron wrote this obituary himself, taking care of his family as always. His family would like to add that he was a wonderful and loving son, husband, father and grandfather. He was a man of integrity, who was hardworking, kind, honest, energetic, funny and joyful. He always kept a positive outlook on life.
on is survived by his wife, Val; his daughter, Kimberly (David) Lonergan, Dallas; his grandchildren, James and Micael Lonergan, Dallas; his stepgrandchildren, Seamus, Brian, Devin, and Tim, all Dallas; seven great-grandchildren, all Dallas; his brother, Stanley (Erma) Nicklay, Fargo; siters-in-laws Ann Nicklay, Stillwater, MN and Dian Nicklay, Fargo; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his sons, Ronald Jr. and Lonnie; his parents, Fred and Lena Nicklay; his brothers, Wilfred, Clayton, and Frederick; and his sisters, Francis Fix, Thecla Storken and Angela Christianson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials, which will go to the upkeep of Lonnie's Park.
Visitation for Ronald will be Thursday from 4 to 7 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead. His Funeral mass will be Friday, October. 17, 2014, at 11:00 AM in Assumption Catholic Church in Barnesville, MN, with burial in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Barnesville.