Oliver E. Nygard

Oliver E. Nygard, 91, of Quinnesec, passed away on Monday, September 14, 2015 at Maryhill Manor Nursing Home in Niagara, WI surrounded by his loving children. Ollie was born July 16, 1924 in Foster City, MI, son of the late Emil and Hilma (Grandskog) Nygard. He grew up working on the family farm on Finn Town Road in Foster City and went to school only knowing how to speak Finnish. He learned to speak English while in school and eventually learned how to speak Swedish also. Ollie started out driving milk and logging trucks before going to Appleton, WI, where he worked for a short time in the paper mill. He came back to the area and married Alice Baker on June 6, 1953 in Iron Mountain. Ollie drove for the Greyhound Bus Service and Stefke Trucking prior to working for Clairmont Transfer where he spent 34 years, retiring in 1984. After retirement, Ollie drove for Northland Coaches and enjoyed many trips with senior and high school groups, and made many casino trips. He was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church, the Moose Lodge in Norway and was a volunteer for the Quinnesec Fire Dept. Ollie was very proud of his Finnish heritage, faithfully watching “Finland Calling” every Sunday morning and was known as the “Polka King” by many of his friends for his dancing ability and love for music. He attended many dances in the Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin over the years. Ollie loved to share stories with family and friends about the “good old days” growing up on the farm. His great sense of humor was enjoyed by all and being a Minnesota Viking fan, loved to tease with Packer fans. Ollie loved animals and had a big heart, helping his neighbors with lawn mowing, snow plowing and anything else they needed a hand with. He was a skilled woodworker and was very proud of the things he made for his grandchildren. Ollie spent his last few years as a resident at Maryhill Manor in Niagara where he made many friends and thoroughly enjoyed the music programs. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Alice; three children, Cheryl (Joe) Gardipee of Norway, Bruce (Paula) Nygard of Niagara and Nancie (Mike) Carlson of Iron Mountain; six grandchildren, Michael Gardipee, Amie (Brandon) Evans, Kimberly Nygard, Timothy Nygard, Eric (Arielle) Simone and Chelsey “Opal” Simone; two great grandchildren that were very dear to his heart, Clayton and Daphne Evans; and his lifelong friend, Roland Anderson. Ollie was preceded in death by two sisters, Elma (Eskil) Anderson and Sylvia (Holger) Grunlund. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 3:00 to 6:00pm at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. The funeral service will follow at 6:00 pm at the funeral home. Linda Forray, LLM will officiate. Burial will be in the Quinnesec Cemetery. The family would like to thank the staff at Maryhill Manor, Dr. Michael Zevitz, Unity Hospice, Dickinson County Memorial Hospital and Dr. James Batti. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Oliver Nygard online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.

Oliver E. Nygard

July 16, 1924 - September 14, 2015