Thalice Marie Angela (Strese) Nicklas, age 102 of Durand, died Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire with her family by her side.

Thalice was born on December 24, 1915 in Durand. She was the daughter of William Herman and Marie Angela (Luebker) Strese. Thalice lived in Durand her entire life, graduated from St. Mary’s School in 1929 and graduated from Durand High School in 1933.

During the Great Depression in 1934, she was employed as a secretary for the Political Council of CWA administration in Durand. Thalice then attended the Eau Claire State Teachers College, now UW Eau Claire, and also Wausau Vocational School in Wausau.

In 1937, Thalice started working as a bookkeeper at the Durand Hardware Store. On April 15, 1941 Thalice married John T. Nicklas at St. Mary Catholic Church in Durand. She became a partner in the business with her husband, John until they sold the business in 1984.

Thalice was a lifetime member of St. Mary Catholic Church and was very active in the Rosary and Altar Society. She was active as a Girl Scout Leader and Boy Scout Leader. Thalice was very devoted to her family and shared special times with them at Lake Pepin. She was an excellent seamstress and loved creative activities both at her leisure as well at the Durand Hardware. Thalice was always willing to try new things. Her love of nature and flowers started at a young age with her own wildflower garden and carried throughout her whole life. Gardening brought her great joy. “Perseverance Wins the Way” was her motto.

As a parent of five children, Thalice instilled strong values and deep faith in her family. Thalice’s greatest joy came from being a grandmother and great grandmother. Her family considered themselves blessed to have such a supportive, loving and devoted mom who unselfishly persevered through many trials to ensure her family grew up in a happy home and knew they were unconditionally loved throughout their lives.

Thalice is survived by her children; Joan (John) Shanahan of Fond du Lac, Nancy (Jim) Moody of Stockholm, Linda (Jim) Baumgartner of Barrington, IL, William (Debra) of Bonita Springs, FL and Catherine (Brent) Gasser of Lake Delton, 13 grandchildren; Patricia (Glenn), John (Jennifer), Joseph (Brita), Emily (Brad), Beth Charlotte (Robbie), James “Nicklas” (Jenna), Kathryn, Will (Jen), Theresa, Katrina, Brennan, Christopher and Natalie, 11 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband; John Nicklas, two sisters; Dorothy Hill and Ruth Stephens and one brother; Lt. William Strese Jr.

Memorial Mass will be 10:00 AM Saturday, April 21, 2018 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Durand with Rev. Paul Bosco officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM Friday, April 20, 2018 at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Durand and one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Thalice’s name to the Plum City Care Center or the American Macular Degeneration Society, www.macular.org/how-donate.

Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.

Condolences may be made online at www.rhielfuneralhome.com.

Condolences

1. Karen Tarrant May 30, 2018, at 8:07am

   I am a granddaughter of Esther Nicklas Ward. I have fond memories of John and Thalice. Very loving and supportive people.

2. Cheryl Brindle April 18, 2018, at 7:03am

   So very sorry for your loss of your mother, friend, and grandmother. What a wonderful woman; full of spunk, joy, and always full of wisdom. I will forever love Thal and remember her fondly. We, over the course of years, spent hours talking about flowers, faith, and her views on our world today. May you all remember the treasured memories she gave you all, and find peace through God always. God Bless!!!

3. Kristine Polzer April 17, 2018, at 5:19pm

   What an amazing lady Tal was. Always dressed up with her jewelry on every day. She rarely ever missed any activities at the care center and was very sharp at them. Very interesting lady to visit with and always full of fun for a 102 year old. I really miss seeing her when I go to visit with my mom. She was a rare gem. What a life she lived!!

   Kris and Dave Polzer

4. Ann K Bock April 7, 2018, at 7:06am

   Thinking of you all during this time. What great memories from Lake Pepin with you all.

5. Rita Koller Kepple April 6, 2018, at 11:29am

   Sorry for your loss. That's amazing 102 years. I'm sure you share a lot of memories. God bless you all.

6. Jennifer Roethke (Welsch) April 5, 2018, at 8:01pm

   My prayers are with you. She was a gem & had a huge heart! I was blessed to know her. May your memories bring you peace & love.
   I still have the baby booties she made when my daughter was born-22 years ago.
   Many hugs, Jennifer

7. Shirley Madsen April 4, 2018, at 12:56pm

   We will truly miss our dear friend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

8. Paula Komro April 4, 2018, at 7:59am

   Tal and John were our neighbors when we lived in town and Tal would give our boys treats when they rode their bikes past her house! She loved to talk and share stories of her past. Always a kind lady! God bless!

9. Ann Brommer April 2, 2018, at 6:00pm

   Tal was such a kind and caring lady. Whenever she came to the chiropractors office she would ask about my daughters and how they were doing, and she hadn't even met them. Heaven has gained a special angel.

10. John and judy parr March 30, 2018, at 5:44pm

    Sorry to hear your loss hugs

11. Jack and Peggy Uphoff March 29, 2018, at 11:04am

    Cate and Brent we send our condolences. It is hard for the ones left behind! Our love and thoughts are with you all.

    Love,
    Jack and Peggy Uphoff

12. Marliss Pittman Beland March 28, 2018, at 7:31am

    I have known Thal about 10 years even though my dad and
    She were 1st cousins by marriage. I found her to be
    A wonderful warm and interesting lady. She will be
    Greatly missed.

13. Jennifer Hass March 27, 2018, at 9:22pm

    Thal was always an inspiration! I enjoyed visiting with her whenever she was up at the care center. She will be truly missed! Praying for Thal and her family she loved so dear.

14. Todd Bjurquist March 27, 2018, at 6:36pm

    I was blessed to know Tal for a couple years as a cook at the Care Center. What an amazing lady! Always a smile! And a please, and a thank you! And a I hate to be a bother! She was indeed priceless! My condolences to you all. For you Tal, may the angels learngrace from you, and may your rest be eternal!

15. Laura Kadlec March 27, 2018, at 2:32pm

    My sympathy and prayers to all of you! It has been my privilege and an honor to not only become friends with Tal, but her wonderful family as well. She leaves an incredible legacy with a lifetime full of memories. She will be missed dearly.

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