George Nikolas

George Nikolas, 97, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away Tuesday, March, 16, 2021 at his home.

Mass of Christian burial is 10:30 a.m., Monday, March, 22, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Aberdeen, with Fr. Michael Griffin and Deacon Pete Mehlhaff officiating.

Burial, with military honors, at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Aberdeen.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, Aberdeen, is handling arrangements. 

Visitation is 4:00-5:00 p.m., Sunday, at the mortuary with a liturgical wake and rosary at 5:00 p.m.  Visitation continues one hour before Mass at the church. www.schriversmemorial.com

George Nikolas, 97, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away Tuesday, March, 16, 2021 at his home.

Mass of Christian burial is 10:30 a.m., Monday, March, 22, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Aberdeen, with Fr. Michael Griffin and Deacon Pete Mehlhaff officiating. The use of masks and social distancing is strongly encouraged.

Burial, with military honors, at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Aberdeen.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.  Family and friends may sign the online guestbook and also view the service at www.schriversmemorial.com.

George Casper Nikolas was born on June 3, 1923 in Aberdeen, SD to Andrew and Magdalena (Krumm) Nikolas. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic grade school for eight years and graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in 1941.

George was united in marriage to Mavis Elgene Anderson on August 30, 1958, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aberdeen. They shared 55 years together; this union was blessed with seven children.

George began his employment with the Milwaukee Railroad in September of 1941. He served in a variety of positions with the Milwaukee Road, including operations, engineering, safety, and accounting. He also served as an office engineer with the Burlington Northern Railroad. His long career with the railroads in South Dakota led to appointments to several state and regional railroad boards. In 1980, George was appointed to the South Dakota Railroad Board by Governor Bill Janklow. He was also named and served on the South Dakota Railroad Authority. George eventually retired in 1983, but continued consulting work with the railroad.  In the 1990’s, George was appointed the co-chair of the review board for Dakota Minnesota & Eastern Railroad’s proposed extension in to the Powder River Basin of Wyoming.

George was drafted into service at age nineteen, as part of the first draft of U.S. teenagers. His service began in March of 1943 and he was assigned to Camp Buntner, North Carolina and Camp Pickett, Virginia for training. As a member of the 1st Squad 3rd Platoon, D Company, 310th Infantry Regiment of the 78th Infantry Division, George sailed for Europe in October of 1944. Upon reaching England, the 3rd Platoon fought its way toward the Siegfried Line, a series of German anti-tank defenses and bunkers. The 3rd Platoon breached the Siegfried Line in December of 1944, at Lammersdorf, Germany. From here, George was part of the drive into the “Ruhr Pocket”, which ended at the city of Wuppertal, Germany. Following the German surrender, because he spoke German, George remained in Europe assigned to the Military Government Counter Intelligence in search of former Nazis and war criminals. He returned to South Dakota in January 1946 as a decorated veteran with the rank of Staff Sergeant. George was the last living member of the original 3rd Platoon, D Company 310 Infantry.

George was an active lifetime member of St Mary’s Catholic Church and served as a server, lector and choir director. He also served on the first Roncalli school board and St. Mary’s cemetery board.  George was a lifetime member of the American Legion.

Grateful to have shared in his life children: Connie Nikolas and Maureen Nikolas, of Aberdeen, Mark Nikolas of Roslyn, SD, Priscilla (Greg) Thornton, Roger (Jill) Nikolas and Paul (Michelle) Nikolas, all of Sioux Falls, SD and Nancy (Glenn) Maier of Bismarck, ND; nine grandchildren: Mercedes, Christopher, and Michael Leon, Allie (PJ) Cavanaugh, Joseph, and Micah Nikolas, Lucas, and Andrew Nikolas, Logan Maier; three step-grandchildren: Jordon and Kelsey Thornton, and Jeremiah Maier; sister Fran (Gene) Lux, of Aberdeen; sisters in law, Virginia Spencer of Elk River, MN; Janet (Kenneth) Frey of Claremont, SD; Connie Anderson, of Aberdeen and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding George in death his wife Mavis, parents; three sisters Mary Ochs, Philomena (Blondie) Derzab, Elizabeth Magdalena “Betty” Farthing, one brother, Joseph Nikolas.

George was blessed with a long life which allowed him to reflect and write his own obituary. He described himself as a railroad man, infantry man, fish man and spiritual man. As Billy Graham, said, “I have just changed my address.”

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Mary’s Church or the Salvation Army.

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