Robert Nicolaisen, of Colorado Springs, passed away in his sleep April 1, 2022. He was born April 25, 1926 to Hans Nicolaisen and Dagmar Runge, in Audubon County, Iowa.
He grew up on the family farm, and, when necessary for the times in the 1930’s, boarded and worked on farms in the county while attending school. The day in 1944 that he graduated from Exira High School, he left for two years of service in the Navy in the Pacific. There he proudly served on the USS Corson, a Barnegat-class small seaplane tender. In addition to other assignments, the Corson dropped anchor at Nagasaki, Japan, on September 11, 1945, where she tended seaplanes at Nagasaki, at Sasebo, and in Hiro Bay until January 1946.
After the Navy, he moved to Colorado where, in 1946, he met his future wife at the breakfast table. He married his life-long sweetheart, Wilma Jean Mardesen, on September 1, 1950, in Elk Horn, Iowa right after which they moved to Colorado Springs where they have made their home for over 71 years.
He worked Civil Service at Fort Carson for over forty years.
Robert was God fearing man, a member of First Lutheran Church for over 50 years. A gentle man, he was a great hugger. Family was what was most important to him. Parents, in-laws, his children and their families, aunts, uncles, cousins – he was all about visiting and keeping in touch with them all.
He was a hardworking man who never did a job halfway. Always ready to help, he was sought out by neighbors, friends, kids and family for his advice and assistance. He hardly ever hired anyone to work on his home. If something needed repair or upgrading, he would study about it, talking to those who had the answers and then did the work himself. Farmer at heart – he loved helping his brother on his farm. He loved motorcycles and had many over the years. His pride and joy a 1956 Triumph TR6.
Loving the outdoors, animals and the birds, he always had feeders and fresh water out for the birds and he made friends with countless squirrels and other wildlife.
Slow to answer, full of surprises, you never knew what he might say. He delighted in keeping us guessing. Anytime he could get us to play a game, he was happy. He loved to laugh!!
Robert is survived by Wilma Jean, his loving wife of 71 years; daughter Dianne (Bruce) Cooper, son Ren (Debbie) Nicolaisen; granddaughters Ashley (Jerrod) Scheer, Heather Leonard; grandsons Brandon Nicolaisen and Daniel (Megan) Jensen; great-grand-daughters Olivia and Amelia Jensen.
He was preceded in death by daughter Eileen Jensen in 1997; sister Eleonora Andersen; brothers Thomas Clausen and Lawrence Clausen.
Services to be held 10:00 AM, April 12, 2022, at Shrine of Remembrance followed by graveside service at Pikes Peak National Cemetery.