Morton Kenneth Nikkel, 92, died Tuesday, September 26, 2023. Mr. Nikkel was born 5 miles northeast of Corn, Oklahoma on December 24, 1930. the son of Jacob E. and Martha (Koch) Nikkel. His early childhood was spent living on a farm near Corn and Weatherford, Oklahoma, where he also attended the first three years of school.
In March 1940, the Nikkel family moved to Wilson County, Kansas near Lafontaine, where they lived during the years of WWII. In the autumn of 1946, the family moved to Arkansas City, Kansas. Here Morton attended the city high school for his sophomore and junior years.
In January 1947, he surrendered to the wooing of the Holy Spirit and received Jesus Christ as his Savior. Not long after becoming a Christian, the desire for a Christ centered education became important to Morton as he chose to go back to Corn, Oklahoma to attend Corn Bible Academy for his senior year of high school, graduating in 1949.
During that wonderful senior year, Morton joined his uncle and aunt, Meno and Clara Nikkel in their worship at the Emmanuel Baptist Church, near Weatherford, Oklahoma. It was here that God led him to the lovely, young lady, Doris Lorene Sawatzky, who would become the love of his life.
War was raging in Korea in 1950, so Morton chose to serve his country as a member of the United States Air Force. He enlisted on Jan 3, 1951 and received specialized training as a B-29 bomber airplane and engine mechanic. He served in Texas and Colorado in his early years with the Air Force.
On March 1st, 1952, Morton and Doris Lorene were united in marriage in Wichita Falls, Texas. The Lord blessed this union with two daughters, Corliss Marlene and Cheryl Lynn. As a joint family, the Nikkels lived in Denver, Colorado, Wichita Falls, Texas, and briefly at Weatherford, Oklahoma, where Morton left his family in January 1956, when he departed for duty in England. So, the family was reunited in Peterborough, England, where they lived until he was transferred to Great Falls, Montana in August 1958.
In December 1960, Morton was honorably discharged from the Air Force and the family moved to Missouri, where he went to Cleveland Chiropractic College in Kansas City. Upon graduation, a chiropractic practice was established in Clay Center, Kansas. After serving thousands of patients from 36 different states, with Mrs. Nikkel working as his receptionist and clinic assistant, the practice was sold and they retired in 1991. Retirement was enjoyed with a great deal of national and international travel and spending time with their married daughters and their families.
Morton was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Virginia.
Survivors include his wife, Doris Lorene; daughters: Corliss (Nikkel) Klinkner and husband, Mel, of Salina; Cheryl (Nikkel) Edwards and husband, Glenn of Dallas, Texas; 3 grandchildren: Daniel Klinkner and wife, Kali, Melissa (Klinkner) Pogue and husband, Jeff, Sarah (Edwards) Bardon and husband, Richard; and 1 great grandchild: Jude Bardon.
When the resurrection promised, in 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17 occurs, there will be a great family reunion in the presence of our Lord.
To my dear wife I say, “The journey together through life has been sweet, when we meet again in the resurrection, it will be a new beginning.”
Private burial will be at Gypsum Hill Cemetery, Salina.