Merle Daniel (“Nick”) Nicklas died of cancer at home on June 18, 2017, and Sophia (“Sophie”) Nicklas passed away two days later, also at home on June 20, 2017, with friends and neighbors at their sides. Both have been cremated, and their remains are interred at Idlewilde Cemetery.

Merle, age 80, was born Jan. 31, 1937, in Pittsburgh, PA. Son of the late Daniel Merle and Mary Elizabeth (Janke) Nicklas, he was preceded in death by sister Edna Lois Dunmire and is survived by brother David A. Nicklas of Pittsburgh. Merle enlisted in the navy immediately after high school where he became a Submariner and served as an engineman for over a decade on both conventional and nuclear powered submarines achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer. In 1969 he transferred to the army with rank of Chief Warrant Officer and served two tours in Vietnam, commanding army supply boats on the Mekong River and Delta.

Nick received the National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm, Army Commendation Medal w/l OLC, Bronze Star Medial w/l OLC, and Expert Badge (M-15 Rifle).

Sophia, age 85, was born Aug. 12, 1931, and attended schools in Augsburg, Germany. Sophia was the youngest child of the family 'Mayerle'. Along with her three sisters and her brother she grew up in Auchesheim, near Donauwörth. Her parents had a farm and a craftshop where they manufactured and sold wooden craft supplies. She went to school in Auchesheim until 8th grade. Afterwards she was allowed to visit a higher school in Augsburg, which, back then, was a huge opportunity.

In Augsburg she often visited American dancing bars because she loved dancing and music. In one of these bars she met a boy, who took her to the USA at the age of 21 years. She spoke no English when she arrived in New York. She eventually established a beauty parlor business in Virginia, where she met Nick.

Merle and Sophia married April 8, 1972 and lived in Newport News, VA while Merle worked on tugboats servicing oil drilling rigs in the North Sea. They moved to Idaho and finally settled in Hood River where Merle worked for the Corps of Engineers at the Bonneville Dam. He retired in 1992. Sophia lived the life she always wanted. She and Nick traveled, often to her homeland in Germany.

Arrangements were under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.