Eleanor Nickolauson

Eleanor "Ellie" Nickolauson, age 86, of Ortonville, MN, passed away on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Fairway View Neighborhoods in Ortonville, MN.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at First English Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Home in Ortonville, MN, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Pastor Dave Tonn will officiate, and inurnment will be at Clinton City Cemetery. 

Eleanor May Beltz was born on August 23, 1937, to Roy and Dorothy (Parrow) Beltz in Alexandria, MN. Roy passed away when she was a baby and she was adopted by William Schott, Dorothy’s second husband. Ellie was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chokio, MN. She grew up on a farm south of Chokio where she attended country school and graduated in 1956 from Chokio Public School. Following graduation, Ellie met her first husband, and they lived in Danvers, MN. They were blessed with two daughters: Beverly and Christy.

In her early years, Ellie worked at Fingerhut in Benson, MN, and waitressed. She found her true calling as a nurse; she loved working with people. Ellie met Vernon Nickolauson and they were united in marriage on May 5, 1979, and they resided in Ortonville, MN. Her kind and caring heart was evident in her nursing career. Ellie volunteered for different events and was a volunteer EMT in Ortonville. Her generosity knew no bounds. Her warm smile and caring nature touched the lives of countless individuals, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.

Eleanor’s faith was the cornerstone of her life. She was a long-time member of First English Lutheran Church, where she selflessly served as a Sunday School teacher, volunteered in the kitchen, and contributed to various church groups and activities. Ellie had a very strong love for animals and always had pets of all kinds throughout her life and she was a great mama to her all of her pets.

In her free time, Ellie loved scrapbooking, sewing, crocheting, knitting, watching movies, and listening to music. She enjoyed the outdoors in many ways – fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, gardening, and most of all, the camping trips to the threshing bees with her husband, Vernon. They would sometimes take their grandsons, Devin and Brandon with them. Ellie was an outstanding cook and baker! Most importantly, she enjoyed spending time with her family. She was a loving wife, mother, grandma, and great-grandma. She had a great sense of humor and the gift of always making people smile and laugh. Ellie was selfless and always put others’ needs in front of her own.

Eleanor is survived by her husband, Vernon Nickolauson of Ortonville, MN; daughters: Bev (Bob) Hiepler of Bellingham, MN; and Christy (Lyle) Johnson of Cottonwood, MN; five grandchildren: Brandy (Lee) Verhelst, Samantha (Tony) Hentges, Cole (Stephanie) Weick, Devin (Dayna) Johnson, and Brandon Johnson; seven great-grandchildren: Parker Verhelst, Sawyer Verhelst, Westley Verhelst, Audrey Hentges, Wyatt Hentges, Nolan Hentges, and Logan Weick; sister, Dieanna (Gerhardt) VanDerBeek of Glenwood, MN; brother, Richard (June) Schott of Branson, MO; sister-in-law, Dorothy Schott of Chokio, MN; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Preceding her in death are her parents: Roy Beltz; and William and Dorothy Schott; and brother, William Dale Schott.

Special thanks for the loving care provided by the Ortonville doctors and staff, Clinton Care Center, Fairway View Neighborhoods staff, and Centra Care Hospice.