Erwin Nickodemus

1918 - 2016

Erwin Nickodemus

March 10, 1918 - May 29, 2016

Mount Angel - Erwin Frederick Nickodemus, 98, passed away at his home outside of Mount Angel, Oregon, surrounded by family. He died due to stroke complications.

Erwin was born on March 10, 1918 to Rudolph and Elsie (Medack) Nickodemus in Portland, Oregon. He had an older brother, Albert, and a younger sister, Florence. The family moved several times until Erwin was 10 years old, when the family moved permanently to his grandparents' farm outside of Mount Angel, Oregon. He graduated from Silverton High School in 1937.

Erwin worked on the family farm before being drafted into the Army in February of 1942. He served in the Pacific and was discharged as a sergeant in October of 1945.

He met Lillian Anna Hoffman of Salem, through their respective Lutheran Churches. They married February 27, 1949 after indoor plumbing was installed in the farmhouse! They had four children: Audrey, Stephen, Janice, and Paula. They farmed blackberries and milked Jersey cows. He worked on the farm until he was 90. Lillian preceded him in death in June of 2013. They were married over 64 years.

Erwin served as a trustee, congregation chairman, elder and Sunday School superintendent at Trinity Lutheran Church, Mount Angel. He also served 49 years as secretary-treasurer for the Mount Angel rural fire district. He sat on the Monitor Grade School Board of Directors for 10 years and on the Silverton High School Board for 6 years. In addition he served on the Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors.

Erwin is survived by his four children: Audrey (Ray Nelson) of Mount Angel, Stephen (Margaret Bowden) of Mount Angel, Janice (Doug Brauner) of Colorado Springs, and Paula (Paul Lindsey) of Colorado Springs. He has 8 grandchildren: Rachel (Andrew) Stevens, Matthew Nelson, David (Beth) Nickodemus, Timothy (Kasia) Nickodemus, Benjamin (Holly) Nickodemus, Joel (Amy) Brauner, Nathan Brauner, and Michael Brauner. He also has 7 great-grandchildren; Ava, Sierra, Elias, Jacob, Noah, Eli, and Nolan. He is also survived by his sister Florence. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother, his wife, and one daughter-in-law, Kathy.

Memorial gifts may be made to Lutheran Hour Ministries.

Viewing will be Saturday, June 11 from 9 to 11 am at Trinity Lutheran Church, Mount Angel. Graveside service at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery at 11 am; all welcome. Memorial service on June 11 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Mount Angel at 3:30 pm followed by a supper.