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IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Chester 'Chet'

Chester 'Chet' Nickelson Profile Photo

Nickelson

August 22, 2017

Obituary

Chester M. "Chet" Nickelson , of Valley Center, passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at the age of 91. Chet was born to parents Frank and Lillian (née Moreland) Nickelson on June 11, 1926, in Freedom, Oklahoma. He grew up as the eldest of four children on a cattle ranch on the outskirts of town.  He graduated from Freedom High School on May 20, 1943. With World War II raging at the time, Chet rode the bus several times to Oklahoma City with the intent of enlisting in the army, but was declared medically ineligible due to visual impairment. He then enrolled in Northwestern State College in Alva, Oklahoma, and graduated on July 24, 1951, having majored in chemistry and minored in biology. After beginning work at Boeing Military Airplane Company on October 28, 1952, Chet married Helen (née Stewart) Cullum in 1956 and adopted her year-old son. Chet and Helen subsequently had four more children. Chet continued to work at Boeing until his retirement on October 30, 1987, his last position being that of Superintendent of Quality Assurance. Throughout his life, Chet led by example. He encouraged each of his children to be self-sufficient.  With his family, he was active in the church, community, and 4-H Club.  He was a talented carpenter and handyman who built custom cabinets and furniture. He also helped remodel homes for many families in the area.During his retirement years, Chet taught metallurgy classes for Boeing and was a member of the Lions Club.  He took a special interest in each of his grandsons by spending time with them daily and teaching them practical skills. Chet is survived by wife Helen; children Ron (Lu Ann), Dawn, Curtis, Tana Tennyson, and Leah (Mark) Hammar; brothers Willis (Joanne) and Merle (Rowena); grandsons Nicholas and Alexander Tennyson, Taylor and Jorah Nickelson; and numerous nieces and nephews. Chet was preceded in death by parents Frank and Lillian as well as his sister Velma Kenney. Memorial Service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 5, at the Valley Center Christian Church, 1801 E. Fifth, Valley Center, Kansas. Private Family burial at the Valley Center Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 7829 E. Rockhill Ste 403, Wichita, Kansas 67206. Baker Funeral Home Valley Center. Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com.
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