Nicholas Bernard Muhlenkamp

1931 - 2024

Nicholas Bernard Muhlenkamp

December 30, 1931 - December 11, 2024

Nicholas Bernard Muhlenkamp, 92, of North Platte, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Dec. 11, 2024, at Great Plains Health.

Nicholas was born on Dec. 30, 1931, in Park, Kansas, the son of John G. and Clara (Alberts) Muhlenkamp.

Nick was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army serving from 1952 to 1954. Upon his return from the service, he met his lifelong love, Opal Marie Refior, and they were married on Jan. 2, 1955, at the North Platte Berean Church. Nick worked 41 years at Birdwood Products west of North Platte until they closed and then he was hired at the Lincoln County Department of Roads until he retired in his 70s.

He was a member of the Berean Church most of his life and had only recently become a member of the Calvary Baptist Church until health made it difficult for he and Opal to attend. Nick was also a member of the Early Ford V-8, Flatlanders Car, and Golden Rod Car Clubs. Nick was well-known in the area for his meticulous restoration and collection of antique automobiles. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather who will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Nicholas was preceded in death on July 2 by his wife of 69 years, Opal; his parents, John and Clara; in-laws, Carl and Naomi Refior; sisters, Katherine (Bob) Mason, Clara (Fred) Vencill and Marcella (Don) Hille; brothers, John (Betty) Muhlenkamp and Antone Muhlenkamp; daughter-in-law, Kimberly Muhlenkamp; nieces, Debbie (Vencill) Gilliam and Sherry (Schneider) Shultz; nephew, Larry Muhlenkamp; sisters-in-law, Mary (Bob) Doe, Delores (Paul) Schneider and Betty Refior.

Those left to cherish Nick's memory are his daughter, Mary Ann (Chuck) Anderson of North Platte; son, James (Anita) Muhlenkamp of Baker, West Virginia; grandsons, Charlie (Holly) Anderson of Hickman, Ryan Muhlenkamp of Dale City, Virginia, and Nicholas (Jennifer) Muhlenkamp of Ladysmith, Virginia; granddaughters, Melissa (Dave) Ritner of Wilcox, Audra Majors of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and Michelle (Christopher) Creed of Nashville, Tennessee; 17 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Shirley Muhlenkamp of North Platte; brother, Hank Muehlenkamp of North Platte; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Berean Church. Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com.

Funeral service is at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, at the Berean Church with Pastor John Stone officiating. Burial with military honors follows at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, near Maxwell. Visitation is from 1-7 p.m., with family receiving friends 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 17, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is entrusted with arrangements.