Obituary of Paul Nicholsen

Paul Dean Nicholsen, of Eugene, died quietly in his sleep on Wednesday, February, 26, 2014, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimers Disease. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held Friday, March 21, 7:00 pm, at the Oregon Electric Station for those who want to pay tribute or remember Paul. "Nic," as his friends called him, was born on November 10, 1939, to the late Arden Sr. and Myrtle Nicholsen, in Austen, Minnesota. He moved to Eugene, Oregon as a baby and grew up at 2950 Allane Ave. in the Bethel area. As a child he sold newspapers, went to Bethel Grade School and Graduated from Willamette High School in 1957. Upon Graduation he served two years in the United States Marines from July 1957 to July 1959, and he was forever proud of that accomplishment. He then married Margaret Ficek on January 11, 1961, who survives him after 53 years of marriage. Paul accomplished many things in his life, starting with raising a son, Mike, born in 1962; and daughter, Michelle, born in 1968. He worked many years at Guistina Brothers Lumber in the 60's and 70's, attended and graduated from the University of Oregon, while working full time, and spent the last 26 years of his working life before retirement, working at the Register Guard, retiring as an advertising manager. Paul had many friends at the office, as well as at the golf course, who remember him as competitive, well spoken, intelligent and being a guy who would give you the shirt off his back. He will be missed by all who knew him. He was a great sports Dad who supported his kids in athletics, or anything else, while they were growing up and after. He was a huge Duck fan who never missed watching a game of basketball, football, and earlier in life, when he was younger, track and field. Paul played and watched golf on a regular basis, for most of his life until his disease no longer allowed him to. He also spent years, with his wife Margaret, watching the Atlanta Braves nightly...in separate rooms, yelling back and forth about the games. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Margaret; his children: Mike Nicholsen and Michelle Rondestvedt (Jeff Rondestvedt); as well as a younger brother, Carl; two Nieces, one Nephew, and Grandchildren: Jordan, whom he had a special bond with; Shantelle, Landon and Kobe Nicholsen. An older brother, Arden Jr., preceded him in death many years earlier. Contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Oregon in Honor of Paul Nicholsen.