Marc Nichols

Marc Nichols, age 79, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at his home.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Decorah Congregational United Church of Christ, 209 W Broadway Street, in Decorah, Iowa with Pastor Allie Scott presiding.

Visitation will be 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E Water Street, Decorah, Iowa. There will not be a visitation at the church on Wednesday morning before the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Decorah Senior Center or Sunflower Child Development & Discovery Center.

Marc Alan Nichols was born to Eleanor (Field) and Carl Nichols on May 9, 1946. He was the second of four siblings and lived in Central City and Independence before moving to Decorah. Around 12, he started helping in the family business and by 16 was caponizing on farms around the area, earning 10 cents per bird (nickel/nut in his own words). Growing up he was active in multiple groups at school, including band (trombone and baritone), choir, and basketball.  He also served as student body president. When Marc was 10, he marched with the Kilties Drum and Bugle Corp in President Eisenhower’s second inaugural parade in Washington, D.C.

Marc graduated from Decorah High School in 1964 and attended Iowa State University where he was a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity and famously (in some circles) a founding member and lead singer of Fat Albert’s Crew. Marc returned to Decorah after college graduation to work with his father and brother at Wapsie Produce, Inc. until the big blue trucks brought the last capon to town in 2010.

Marc married Sherry Raduenz on October 13, 1973 at the Decorah Congregational United Church of Christ. Together, they had three children: Craig Nichols, Christy (Mario) Zuniga, and Carrie (Adam) Weber. Together they enjoyed ski trips out west and exploring Yellowstone. Canoe trips down the Upper Iowa were a summer staple. Marc and the family enjoyed hosting several international exchange students. He made the best batches of popcorn with an unspeakable amount of butter, and weekend pancakes with a splash of Mountain Dew in the batter. Marc was a proud grandfather to Madeline Zuniga, Dylan Zuniga, Louis Weber, Archer Weber, and Frances Weber. The grandkids could always look forward to card tricks, card games and bouncing on his knee for the little ones. They made many memories with grandpa at the Estero Island Beach Club in Ft. Myers. Everyone in the family can hang a spoon from their nose.

Marc was active in Decorah with church, card clubs, coin club, football follies, Oneota Golf and Country club, and of course those third grade tours at Wapsie Produce. A true man about town. He will be remembered for being generous with a smile and a joke for every occasion. He adored people and was able to strike up a conversation with anyone.  Music continued to be important to Marc later in life. He sang in the church choir, the Decorah Chorale, and dabbled in accordion and ukulele. Marc and Sherry also enjoyed attending many plays and shows. He spent hours competing with the deer to grow beautiful flowers, a pastime inherited from his parents.

Throughout his life, Marc enjoyed tying fishing flies, telling fishing stories, buying fishing poles, buying fishing clothes, and buying fishing gear. It is even rumored he went fishing once or twice. Once he conquered the local trout streams, he discovered a love of saltwater fly fishing.  Favorite fishing trips included Kiribati (Christmas Island) and annual trips to Inagua in the Bahamas. Marc and Sherry took many international adventures together and with friends. In retirement, they purchased a Sprinter van and visited all but a handful of National Parks on their bi-annual trips through the US and Canada.

Marc’s smile and the mischievous twinkle in his eye will be remembered by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.