April 18, 1938 – Oct. 14, 2018
Marlys Nickisch, age 80, passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 14, 2018.
She was born April 18, 1938, in Lehr, North Dakota, to Reinhold Frederich (RF) and Bertha Scherbenske Ruff. She married Stevens Lester Nickisch, June 26, 1961, in Wishek, North Dakota.
Marlys was raised and attended schools in Lehr. She graduated from Lehr High School and went on to attend Westmar College in Le Mars, Iowa, where she earned a bachelor’s degree. She returned to North Dakota to teach home economics in Napoleon.
In Wishek, she met and married Steve. Together they had two sons. It was after the birth of her first son that she stopped teaching to raise her family. Steve and Marlys owned and operated Nickisch Funeral Homes.
In 1978, following Steve’s automobile accident, Marlys became very involved with the day-to-day operations of the funeral homes. She remained active in the business until it sold in 1991.
Following retirement, Marlys and Steve enjoyed traveling. After his death in 2003, Marlys relocated to the warmer climate of St. George, Utah.
Beginning in 2006, Marlys was very active within the Sun River Community and the New Promise Lutheran Church. She enjoyed playing bridge, being a part of Red Hat Society and book clubs. Marlys had a very welcoming personality and made friends easily. She enjoyed these associations.
Marlys had a light about her that will be missed by all who knew her.
Marlys is survived by her sons Dan Nickisch (and girlfriend Carla Bone) of Seattle, Washington, and Bryce Nickisch of Syracuse, Utah, and grandsons Alex and Logan Nickisch. She is also survived by her brother Marvin Ruff of Charlotte, Michigan.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
Funeral services
- A funeral service will be held Friday, Oct. 19, at 1 p.m., at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah.
- There will be a viewing Thursday, Oct. 18 from 5-7 p.m., and again Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., prior to services at Spilsbury Mortuary.
- A second funeral service will be held Tuesday, Oct. 23, at 2 p.m., at the St. Luke Lutheran Church, Wishek, North Dakota.
- Interment will be in the St. Luke Lutheran Cemetery immediately following funeral services.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454 and Dahlstrom Funeral Home, Wishek, North Dakota.
For condolences, full obituary and funeral listings please visit Spilsbury Mortuary online.