Valentine Nickel

Valentine E. Nickel: minister and teacher; b. 8 March 1901 in Rosthern, Saskatchewan. He was the youngest of five children of Franz (19 February 1869-22 December 1925) and Katherine (Balzer) Nickel (6 August 1859-14 April 1935). He married Rose Marie Guenther (12 June 1906-26 June 1975), daughter of Fred and Paulina Guenther of Langham, Saskatchewan, on 5 April 1926. They had one son, Clifford. Valentine d. 29 July 1965 in Chilliwack, BC.

Valentine Nickel received his elementary education in Rosthern, Saskatchewan. He moved with his family to Renata, BC, but returned to Drake, SK after a few years. He attended the German-English Academy in Rosthern (now Rosthern Junior College). Valentine completed teacher training in Saskatoon and taught in Perdue, SK from 1926 to 1928 and Osler, SK from 1928 to 1929. The family then settled in Wymark, SK, where he taught for twenty-one years. During this time he also taught at Swift Current Bible Institute. While there, he began a preaching ministry in the Emmaus Mennonite Church at Wymark. He was elected as their minister 10 June 1938 and ordained 14 August of that year. On 20 May 1945 he was ordained as an elder at the Zion Mennonite Church in Swift Current. In 1962 he accepted the call to become the leading minister of Eden Mennonite Church in Chilliwack, serving from November 1962 until December 1964.

Valentine and his wife Rose would sing duets while conducting church services. He was well known for his public speaking abilities and his ability to deliver a sermon without referring to notes.

Bibliography

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