Carl F. Nichols

Carl F. Nichols, age 91, of Decorah, Iowa, died Friday, October 24, 2008 at Aase Haugen Home in Decorah as a result of congestive heart failure. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, October 27, 2008 at Congregational United Church of Christ in Decorah by Rev. Matthew H. Perkins with burial in Phelps Cemetery in Decorah. Friends may call from 3:00 – 6:00 P.M. Sunday, October 26 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and an hour prior to the services on Monday at the church. Carl Freeman Nichols was born at home in Greeley, Iowa, July 30, 1917, the second son of Norman and Romanda (Zittergruen) Nichols. After graduation from Greeley High School and Bayless Business School in Dubuque, Iowa, Carl was hired by the Independence (Iowa) Produce Company in 1939 as an errand boy. He rapidly developed understanding and insight into the egg and poultry business. His skills were recognized quickly and he soon moved into management. Mom said he grew a mustache to try to look older. Carl bought Decorah Produce Company in 1953, remodeling and developing it into the USDA approved Wapsie Produce, Inc. in 1958, the largest exclusive capon producing plant in the world. Carl was an entrepreneur, also owning Goodrich Fuel and Oil Company, Wapsie Hatchery, and Carl F. Nichols Feather Enterprises. In 1976 he started an experimental farm for growing quality capons using various methods of feeding and equipment. The complex grew to 8 buildings, raising 200,000 capons per year. He earned the title of “Capon King”. With Carl’s eye for potential, he invested in a motel in Ft. Myers Beach, Florida and helped develop it into a successful resort, The Estero Island Inn, on the Gulf of Mexico. Carl and Eleanor F. Field were married April 12, 1941 in Iowa City, Iowa at First Presbyterian Church "Old Brick". They enjoyed 66 years together and had four children: Carol, Marc, Diane and Paul. Carl was a self made man, worked extremely hard, but also enjoyed himself. He rarely did anything in moderation. Carl was an avid fisherman who knew every “hole” in northeast Iowa trout streams. He fished wahoo in Bimini, steelhead near Seattle, salmon in Alaska, and snook and sheephead in the Gulf of Mexico. Every spring for 40 years he caught walleye and lake trout near Ignace, Ontario, Canada during much beloved fishing expeditions with his Decorah buddies. Carl and Eleanor enjoyed travel, winters in Florida, and trips to Las Vegas. Carl had a love of outdoors and wildlife. He hatched and stocked quail in Winneshiek County, fed geese, ducks, squirrels and birds behind his home. Carl will best be remembered for feeding George, the great blue heron in Florida, who visited Carl’s dock for freshly filleted fish Carl supplied him. Carl enjoyed life and is remembered as a generous man to his family and community. He encouraged his children to have “intestinal fortitude” and “never miss an opportunity to keep your mouths shut!”. His deep fried trout, beer batter fish dinners and morning pancakes will never be forgotten. Carl was a member of Central City Fire Department, Congregational United Church of Christ, BPOE Elks Club, Masonic Lodge, Decorah Chamber of Commerce, Decorah School Board, Oneota Golf and Country Club, and Self Improvement Society. He received a governor’s State of Iowa Lifesaving Award for rescuing a drowning girl in the Upper Iowa River in 1968. He had resided at the Aase Haugen Home in Decorah for one week. Carl is survived by four children: Carol (Herb) Hageman, Marc (Sherry) Nichols, Paul (Bev) Nichols, all of Decorah and Diane (Mike) Sondergard of Iowa City; ten grandchildren: Amy (John) Bultman, Andy (Min) Hageman, Rachel (Mark) McConnell, Craig Nichols, Christy (Mario) Zuniga, Carrie Nichols, Collin Sondergard, Jeff Sondergard, BJ (Laura) Nichols, Benji (Aryn) Nichols; and five great grandchildren: James and Anne Bultman, Wilson, Annalise, and Henry Nichols. Carl was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor, on March 7, 2007; two brothers, Wilfred Nichols and Walter Nichols; and one sister, Luyverl Hansel.