Albert Al Nicolaus was born November 14, 1915 on a farm near Naper, Nebraska to John and Sophie (Ulmer) Nicolaus. He died July 30, 2006 at the Community Memorial Hospital in Burke, South Dakota at the age of 90 years.

Al was baptized and confirmed at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Naper. He grew up on the family farm and attended various schools in Boyd County, graduating from Naper High school in 1934.

Al volunteered for the service on November 4, 1940. He was sworn in on February 17, 1941 and served faithfully until his discharge on October 7, 1945. While in the service his time was spent mainly at ADAK in the Aleutian Islands. He was united to Elva Gosch on January 19, 1945 at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Naper and to this union four children were born: Mary Lee, Stanley, Connie and Jimmie.

Al was a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairfax. During that time, he served as Sunday School Superintendent and was an elder for 50 years.

Al and Elva farmed in the Fairfax area for 43 years. He had a great love of horses and was always willing to give the grandkids a ride.

The American Legion and VFW were also high on Als list of priorities. He was commander of the local legion during which time, he was instrumental in starting the Fairfax Rodeo that ran for 25 years. He also served 3 terms as county commander and one term as district commander. He was recently honored as a 60 year member of the Legion.

Al was a familiar face at school sporting events. He ran the chain at football games for 28 years, starting in 1955. He was basketball scorekeeper at home and away games for 28 years, this includes 7 years for Bonesteel/Fairfax after the schools consolidated, and girls basketball. He drove school bus for 5 of these years.

Al served 6 years as county commission, beginning in 1978.

Al and Elva moved to Burke in 1989. While living there, he served as chairperson for the Senior Citizens Club and was always ready to give someone a ride to bingo.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, John and Sophie; his step-mother, Anna Fuhrer; his son, Stanley on June 17, 1996; his brother, Ed and his sisters, Clara Green and Lila Grohs.

Al is survived by his wife, Elva of Burke, SD; his children: Mary Lee and husband Jerry Podhradsky of Plankinton, SD; Connie and husband Dan Schmitz of Bonesteel, SD; and Jimmie and wife Janet of Mitchell, SD; his daughter-in-law, Joyce Nicolaus of Utica, SD; 12 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Harlan of Hawaii and Herman and wife Leona of ONeill, NE and one sister, Martha and husband Wilbur Grohs of Sioux City, NE.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 3, 2006 at 10:30 AM at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairfax, SD. Burial will be in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Fairfax. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 to 8 PM, with a 7 PM prayer service, at Clausen Funeral Home.