Henry (Hank) Elmer Nickel
November 13, 1937 – May 1, 2022, Aged 84
 

“This breath, and this moment, and this life is a gift and we are all in this together. We all have countless choices every day to close down or stand up straight and open up, and take a big breath and say YES to the gift.” -Rob Bell

To list the places Hank spent his years, the occupations he worked, the vocation he lived, the skills he acquired, the talents and gifts he offered up in the joy and work of being a human being is nothing compared to the lives he touched. Whoever you may be, Hank was interested in you and the story of your journey. He was a good and faithful servant of his best friend and saviour Jesus Christ, and took his cues from the life Jesus lived here. His great big heart and matching smile was celebrated at the Happy Nun Café in Forget, Sask. on May 27 at 3:00 p.m.

Hank was greeted when he got off the train by his son-in-law Don Shakotko, his parents: John & Elizabeth Nickel, his brothers: Gerry Nickel and Melvin Nickel, his sisters-in-law: Dorothy Hilstad and Gladys Manitoski, his brothers-in-law: Robert Clark, Elmer Johnson, George Poburn, and Steve Manitoski, and his niece Kelty Hilstad.

Hank will be missed and remembered on this side of the river by the love of his life Gyda Nickel, his kids: Shannon Shakotko, Shane (Teresa) Nickel, Shirlene Greathouse, and Shelby (Jennifer) Nickel, his grandchildren: Jathan Greathouse, Joscelyn Greathouse, Haley (Jon) Ward, Jelina Greathouse, Greg Nickel, Hunter (Emily) Nickel, Eric Nickel, Jerdan Greathouse, Tanner (Katlaine Camille) Nickel, Caden (Seanna) Nickel, Sebastian Nickel, Jazmine Saunders, Taya Nickel, Jayde Nickel, Paul Billyboy Nickel, Grayce Nickel, Maddy Billyboy Nickel, and Chloe Billyboy Nickel, his step-grandchildren: Jesse (Tammy) Shakotko, and Bert (Bevin) Shakotko, his great grandchildren: Whisper Greathouse, Norah Ward, and Henry Ward, step-great grandchildren: Niah Shakotko, Ayla Shakotko, Riel Shakotko, Quinn Shakotko, and Coco Shakotko, his siblings: (Vera Nickel), Betty Johnson, Alice Sarchuk, Esther (Frank) Berry, and David (Ruth) Nickel, in-laws: Bertha Clark, John (Shirley) Hilstad, Art (Helen) Hilstad, Bjorn (Ardith) HIlstad, Stan (Marianne) Hilstad, Darlene (Rob) McQueen, Shirley Poburn, Larry (Judy) Hilstad, and a cavorting amount of nieces and nephews.

The Stoughton New Hope Pioneer Lodge with their caring staff was the last one of those places Hank lived. If you wish to remember Hank with a donation to their Activity Fund (Box 38, Stoughton, SK S0G 4T0), it would be well used and appreciated.

Hall Funeral Services in Estevan provided care to Hank's family - Dustin Hall, Funeral Director.