Maurice Nicklay

Maurice Nicklay, age 83, of Barnesville, MN died on Friday evening, September 6, 2024, surrounded by his loving family at ValleyCare and Rehab. His body was escorted out of town by law enforcement in honor of his longtime devotion as a police officer to the city of Barnesville.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM, Friday, September 13, 2024, at Assumption Catholic Church in Barnesville with Father Todd Arends presiding. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Barnesville. 

Visitation will be from 5-7 PM, Thursday at the Assumption Catholic Church with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the Mass on Friday. 

Maurice was born on September 20, 1940, being 10 minutes older than his twin Marvin Nicklay. His parents were Anton John and Helen Leona (Watrin) Nicklay. He attended Assumption Catholic School and graduated from the 8th grade. He then went to Barnesville High School and graduated in 1959. 

Following his school both Maurice and Marvin joined the Wahpeton National Guard. He was a member of the 231 Engineer BNC. He belonged for 8 years before being discharged in 1972. He went to police school in Arden Hills Academy in Minneapolis. 

He would be united in marriage to Renee McDunn at Assumption Catholic Church in Barnesville on June 27, 1970. They have three children Tony, Tammy, and Tom. 

Maurice’s first of three lifetime careers was when he became a police officer for the City of Barnesville in 1967. Maurice was the iconic small town police officer in the days when getting pulled over by police as a teenager meant a big lecture and the crap scared out of you with a stern warning. Just in case you weren’t scared straight enough, it also meant a phone call home to your parents. Maurice patrolled the streets and alleys of Barnesville keeping the community safe for 41 years. He also farmed on the family farm. This is where he raised quarter horses, appaloosas, and thoroughbreds. He also had thoroughbreds on the racetrack. They started and belonged to the Silver Spur Saddle Club of which he was a lifelong member. 

In 1987, Maurice and Renee would purchase the iconic Tastee Freeze on the east edge of Barnesville along Highway 34. This small-town drive in would later be named after his wife Renee as Renee’s Drive In. This infamous little diner would feed the community and lake traffic thousands of delicious hamburgers, chicken dinners, and ice cream treats for over 30 years. You would almost always find Maurice with a cup of coffee sitting in a booth enjoying some good old banter on the world’s happenings. They operated the drive in until 2018 when they retired. 

Maurice’s third career was driving school bus for the Barnesville Bus Company. He drove bus routes for many years and hundreds of extra-curricular trips (in some bad roads and weather) for all the sports events across the area. Maurice was also a vocal Trojan supporter who wasn’t afraid to voice his opinion at a ball game. Sometimes his own family would sit a few rows or sections away from him because his filter wasn’t always working as he yelled out advice to the referees and players. Actually, this is what many people found so endearing about Maurice was he wasn’t afraid to speak his mind and let you know how things should be done. 

Maurice’s faith guided him through life, as he was a lifelong member of Assumption Catholic Church and active member of the Knights of Columbus. He was able to obtain his 4th degree of the Knights of Columbus in Fargo. He also worked at Rollag Steam Threshers Reunion for the church and served as a church usher. 

Also through the years, Maurice coached many softball teams and sold monuments for the cemetery. Maurice will be remembered as one of the iconic people of Barnesville. His sense of humor makes so many remember him with hundreds of stories and memories of a life well lived. His grandchildren were so important to him, he rarely missed a sporting event of Kaitlyn, Kimberly, or Jack’s. He also enjoyed teaching Jack how to play pinochle. 

Maurice is survived by his wife of 54 years, Renee Nicklay, of Barnesville, MN, three children: Tony Nicklay of Barnesville, MN, twins Tom Nicklay of Barnesville, MN, and Tammy (Brent) Maesse of Baker, MN, three grandchildren: Kaitlyn Maesse, Kimberly Maesse, and Jack Maesse, of Baker, two siblings: Marvin (Lavonne) Nicklay of Fargo, Mary Frink of Gardena, CA, and several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. 

Maurice was preceded in death by his parents, three siblings: Jerome Nicklay, Ralph (Rolene) Nicklay, Margaret (Edward) Stetz, and brother in law Chet Frink, niece Debra Stetz. 

 Online memories and condolences may be shared at www.KorsmoFuneralService.com