Albin Jonas Nikkari

Albin Jonas Nikkari age 87, of Sebeka, MN died on February 23, 2010 at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud, MN. Albin was born to Matt and Elizabeth (Kivela) Nikkari on December 12, 1922 in Blowers Township, Otter Tail County, MN. He attended Rural School District 279 and graduated from Sebeka High School in 1942. One week after graduating he enlisted in the US Navy where he served the next four years during WWII in the South Pacific Amphibious Forces and attained the rating of Chief Motor Machinist’s Mate A. He was Honorable Discharge February 18, 1946. Albin was united in marriage to Frances Paurus on June 10, 1950. They had two daughters, Deborah and Mary. Albin and his brother Eino owned and operated Nikkari Brothers Construction for thirty years. Their heavy equipment company built township roads, completed soil conservation work, including land clearing and stock watering pits, and were hired for other farming related projects. After dissolving the business he worked at M&O Farms in Park Rapids, maintaining and operating heavy equipment. Albin was an active member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Sebeka, a lifetime member of the Sebeka Legion and the Wadena VFW. He served in the Legion Honor Guard and on various church and township offices. Albin was a Hospice Volunteer for twelve years and delivered Meals on Wheels for ten years. Albin will be remembered for his friendship, humility, strength and keen sense of humor. His travels allowed him to set foot in all fifty states and visit Finland three times. His two most prized possessions were his 1923 Ford Roadster and his 1948 Indian Chief Motorcycle. He loved hunting and fishing, driving to Alaska eight times for Salmon and driving to the Western States to hunt big game. He enjoyed nature photography, dancing and reading yet spent as much time as possible out of doors. Albin is survived by his wife of almost sixty years, Frances Nikkari; his daughters, Deborah Nikkari of Potsdam, New York and Mary (Dell) Bindewald of Little Falls, MN; four grandchildren Albin Bindewald of Little Falls, MN; Eric McCluskey of Columbus, Ohio, Elise Bindewald of Reno, Nevada and Rebekah McCluskey of Hsinchu City, Taiwan; two sisters, Linda Paavola of New York Mills, MN and Signe (Orville) Aho of Baxter, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Matt and Elizabeth Nikkari, three brothers, Albert, Eino, and Charles, four sisters, Helmi (Mrs. Leonard Lofback), Lillian (Mrs. Donald Lorentz), Mae (Mrs. Howard Koskie) and Mildred (Mrs. Elmer Pierson). Funeral Services will be 1:00 PM Friday, February 26, 2010 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Sebeka with Pastor Ben Carlsen officiating. Vickie Paurus will serve as organist. Deborah Nikkari will be provided special music; “Amazing Grace.” Congregational hymns are “Precious Lord, take My Hand,” “Lord as a Pilgrim,” “Nearer My God to Thee” and “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” The Navy Hymn. Honorary Pallbearers are all who called him friend. Active Casketbearers are Timothy Paurus, Thomas Paurus, Randy Paurus, Steven Pierson, Mark Pierson and Albin Bindewald. Berg Nylund American Legion Post 456 of Sebeka, MN will provide Military Honors. Interment will be at Haycreek Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Wevley Funeral Home. Memorials are preferred to the Sebeka Legion Honor Guard, Sebeka First Responders, Hospice Programs and Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Sebeka.