Harry Nicolai

Hastings resident Harry Bernard Nicolai, 73, passed away peacefully Monday, December 9, 2019, at Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hastings, NE.

Celebration of Life is 2 p.m. Sunday, December 15, at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Hastings with Rev. Steven Peeler officiating. An Elks #159 Ritual Service will follow the Celebration of Life. There will be a Celebration of Life at 2 p.m., Saturday, January 11, 2020, at the Celebration of Life Center in Altoona, WI with Pastor Tim Stein officiating from Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Altoona, WI. Memorials may be given to the family for a memorial to be established at a later date.

Harry and Henry were born on April 23, 1946, in Chippewa Falls, WI to Geraldine (Augustine) & Bernard Nicolai Sr. He grew up near the Chippewa River in Eau Claire, WI. He was proud to be known as one of the “River Rats.” He graduated from North High School in 1964 and received his accounting degree from Chippewa Valley Technical College in 1966.

Harry married Linda Sather on September 28, 1968, at Central Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls, WI. They celebrated “51” years of marriage.

Harry was the controller of Armour in Eau Claire, WI. He was a dedicated employee and in 1990 moved his family to Hastings, NE to remain with the company. He devoted 42 years to Armour/ConAgra.

Harry was a member of the Elks #159. He was the treasurer for 25 years for the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. He loved hunting, fishing, playing cards, and golfing. He had two “holes in one”, one at the Elks in Hastings and the other at Pacific Springs in Omaha. He bowled many years with his wife on different leagues. He was known for his grilled BBQ chicken, poached eggs, and his perfect turkeys. In his younger years, he enjoyed playing pool and softball.

Harry was a devoted family man. He was always there for his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was dedicated to being at all family events and would try to make it to watch sporting events and school activities. His family was his world.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Baby Nicolai, Gary Nicolai, and Bernard “Butch” Nicolai Jr.; father-in-law & mother-in-law, George & Lorena Sather; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, James & Shirley Sather.

Harry will be greatly missed by:
Wife:
Linda Nicolai – Hastings, NE
Children:
Theresea Johnson (Gary Puljas) – Altoona, WI
Tena (Doug) Herbek – Grand Island, NE
Tracie Nicolai (Courtney Hill, Weston and Walker) – Papillion, NE
Benjamin Nicolai – Hastings, NE
Grandchildren:
Cassie Johnson – Altoona, WI
Jourdan Johnson – Altoona, WI
Zayne Johnson – Altoona, WI
Maraina Johnson – Altoona, WI
Emily Herbek – Grand Island, NE
Andrew Herbek – Grand Island, NE
Samuel Herbek – Grand Island, NE
Grace Herbek – Grand Island, NE
Maggie Herbek – Grand Island, NE
Caleb Herbek – Grand Island, NE
Myah Toscano – Papillion, NE
Isaiah Toscano – Papillion, NE
Ashlee (Casey) Holling – Hastings, NE
Great-Grandchildren:
Serenity Johnson – Altoona, WI
Malakai Bishop – Altoona, WI
Marley Holling – Hastings, NE
Scarlett Holling (expected by the end of the year)
Brothers:
Henry Nicolai (late Diane Krigsvold) – WI
Mike Nicolai (Karen Mattson) – WI
Roger (Nancy) Nicolai – WI
Mark (Karon) Nicolai – WI
Tim Nicolai (Amber) – WI
Tony (Dana) Nicolai – WI
Sisters:
Mary (Terry) Knutson – WI
Leanne (Jerry) Berg – WI
Sister-in-law:
Cindy Nicolai – WI
In-laws:
Mary (Jack) Stiver – Cedar Rapids, IA
Jerry (Sharon) Sather – Charles Town, WV
Ronnie (Bonnie) Sather – WI
Beverly Sather – WI
Many nieces, nephews, extended family, and good friends in both Wisconsin and Nebraska.