Lawrence Monroe Nichoalds born August 20, 1920 in Buchanan County, St Joseph, Missouri to William Alfred Nichoalds and Eugie Bell (McCan) Nichoalds. His father was hit by a car when he was three years old and passing away from injuries. As well his mother died of diabetes when he was five years old. His only recollection of his mother was crawling in bed with her for some motherly affection when she was very ill.
He lived with aunts and uncles, brother and sisters but never really long as nobody could care for an active young man. By age 15 years he was pretty much on his own and lived with local farmers where he worked. He worked extremely hard from sunrise to sunset for food and to keep a roof over his head. He plowed fields with a team of horses and took a horse and wagon to town. In the summer, he worked 12 hour days for $.75 a day.
His High School coach had a large impact on his life. The coach encouraged him to make the most of his life and made him feel he was a value to others. He held the state record for the mile at four minutes and 26 seconds. After graduating from high school in 1939, he received a Track and Field scholarship to the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. At that time a scholarship meant you worked to pay for your education in addition to participating in you sport. His day started at 4.00 am to fire the heaters in the building before he went to class. After class he had track practice followed by other odd jobs before he went home to do his homework. He was just 20 years old and a sophomore in college when the war started.
He had started dating a girl of his dreams, Marjorie McGinley, at the age of 16. Knowing he would be drafted soon, they were married on Valentine's Day 1942. The soon to be soldier was drafted into the army in July 1942.
His rank was corporal and he was sent overseas in 1944. These young and innocent men went off to war to defend their country and never looked back. During the war, he was an anti-aircraft gunner protecting the troops from enemy bombers before they reached camp. They provided ground support for the 36th, 45th and 3rd Divisions. The third division lost 3000 men in one week. After landing in Casablanca, he was transported by train to Africa. He said the train ride involved traveling at 15-20 miles per hour in French railroad cars designed to hold either 40 men or eight horses. The train stopped at each bridge while guards checked the bridge's superstructure for explosives.
They faced many difficulties during the war. He spent his first winter in a swamp area of Italy where they were trapped all winter. Since they were hiding from the enemy, they couldn't light any fire for food or warmth. They were given two pairs of socks; one to wear on their feet and one to wear around their waist to dry. They used their helmets for everything including washing their socks and eating out of them. They were bombed regularly and may of his friends died that winter. Losing some of his closest friends was the hardest part of the war. He remembers once when he and a friend were standing between two army vehicles. For some reason He went to the other side of the vehicles when a grenade blew up killing his friend. Through out the was he kept a personal Bible, which he still carried with him. He was never injured, but became hard of hearing when he was in a foxhole with dirt on top of him and a buddy when a thunderous grenade exploded above them. The loudness of the grenade caused a ringing sound in his ears for weeks.
He was part of the allied forces that helped liberate Rome from German control. While in Rome, the Pope invited the troops to mass in Vatican City. Although he could not see the pope, he could hear him. During the war, he spent time in Italy, Africa, France and Germany. He was in Nuremberg, Germany when Germany surrendered in 1945 and spent the night in the stadium where Hitler made many of his famous speeches. He was discharged from active duty on December 20, 1945. He received four Bronze Stars for his roles in Southern France, Rhineland, Central Europe and Rome-Armo Campaigns. He also received a medal for good conduct.
The happiest day of his life was when he was able to return home from the war on December 20, 1945 after not seeing his wife for three and a half years. Because of his childhood, family was extremely important to him. When he returned home, the started a family right away and were blessed with four children. Those children had 9 Grand-Children and 9 Great-Grand-Children.(Thanks to Jackie (Nichoalds) Vehige for this story)
In 1955 he started working as an over the road truck driver. Driving over a million miles without an accident. Worked for PIE Trucking and retired with them.
-------------------------------
Lawrence "Nick" Monroe Nichoalds passed away on May 4, 2015 at the age of 94. He was the beloved husband of the late Marjorie Nichoalds. He is survived by his four children: Mike (Joni) Nichoalds, Jackie (Jerry) Vehige, Joe (Helen) Nichoalds and Stephanie (Mark) Beckham; 9 grandchildren & 9 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents: William C. & Eugie Nichoalds nee McCanns and five siblings. Lawrence was married to Marjorie McGinley on February 14, 1942. Shortly after, he joined the Army during World War II, and served in North Africa, Southern Italy, Southern France and Germany. He helped liberate Rome during the war, and was involved in the Battle of Anzio Beachhead. Lawrence was the recipient of 4 bronze stars. He was an active member of the VFW group in New Melle, the American Legion in Wentzville and he was a mason. His hobbies included raising Belgian Draft Horses at his home in Foristell and gardening. One of his greatest joys was spending time with his grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.(Pitman Funeral Home Obituary)
He lived with aunts and uncles, brother and sisters but never really long as nobody could care for an active young man. By age 15 years he was pretty much on his own and lived with local farmers where he worked. He worked extremely hard from sunrise to sunset for food and to keep a roof over his head. He plowed fields with a team of horses and took a horse and wagon to town. In the summer, he worked 12 hour days for $.75 a day.
His High School coach had a large impact on his life. The coach encouraged him to make the most of his life and made him feel he was a value to others. He held the state record for the mile at four minutes and 26 seconds. After graduating from high school in 1939, he received a Track and Field scholarship to the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. At that time a scholarship meant you worked to pay for your education in addition to participating in you sport. His day started at 4.00 am to fire the heaters in the building before he went to class. After class he had track practice followed by other odd jobs before he went home to do his homework. He was just 20 years old and a sophomore in college when the war started.
He had started dating a girl of his dreams, Marjorie McGinley, at the age of 16. Knowing he would be drafted soon, they were married on Valentine's Day 1942. The soon to be soldier was drafted into the army in July 1942.
His rank was corporal and he was sent overseas in 1944. These young and innocent men went off to war to defend their country and never looked back. During the war, he was an anti-aircraft gunner protecting the troops from enemy bombers before they reached camp. They provided ground support for the 36th, 45th and 3rd Divisions. The third division lost 3000 men in one week. After landing in Casablanca, he was transported by train to Africa. He said the train ride involved traveling at 15-20 miles per hour in French railroad cars designed to hold either 40 men or eight horses. The train stopped at each bridge while guards checked the bridge's superstructure for explosives.
They faced many difficulties during the war. He spent his first winter in a swamp area of Italy where they were trapped all winter. Since they were hiding from the enemy, they couldn't light any fire for food or warmth. They were given two pairs of socks; one to wear on their feet and one to wear around their waist to dry. They used their helmets for everything including washing their socks and eating out of them. They were bombed regularly and may of his friends died that winter. Losing some of his closest friends was the hardest part of the war. He remembers once when he and a friend were standing between two army vehicles. For some reason He went to the other side of the vehicles when a grenade blew up killing his friend. Through out the was he kept a personal Bible, which he still carried with him. He was never injured, but became hard of hearing when he was in a foxhole with dirt on top of him and a buddy when a thunderous grenade exploded above them. The loudness of the grenade caused a ringing sound in his ears for weeks.
He was part of the allied forces that helped liberate Rome from German control. While in Rome, the Pope invited the troops to mass in Vatican City. Although he could not see the pope, he could hear him. During the war, he spent time in Italy, Africa, France and Germany. He was in Nuremberg, Germany when Germany surrendered in 1945 and spent the night in the stadium where Hitler made many of his famous speeches. He was discharged from active duty on December 20, 1945. He received four Bronze Stars for his roles in Southern France, Rhineland, Central Europe and Rome-Armo Campaigns. He also received a medal for good conduct.
The happiest day of his life was when he was able to return home from the war on December 20, 1945 after not seeing his wife for three and a half years. Because of his childhood, family was extremely important to him. When he returned home, the started a family right away and were blessed with four children. Those children had 9 Grand-Children and 9 Great-Grand-Children.(Thanks to Jackie (Nichoalds) Vehige for this story)
In 1955 he started working as an over the road truck driver. Driving over a million miles without an accident. Worked for PIE Trucking and retired with them.
-------------------------------
Lawrence "Nick" Monroe Nichoalds passed away on May 4, 2015 at the age of 94. He was the beloved husband of the late Marjorie Nichoalds. He is survived by his four children: Mike (Joni) Nichoalds, Jackie (Jerry) Vehige, Joe (Helen) Nichoalds and Stephanie (Mark) Beckham; 9 grandchildren & 9 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents: William C. & Eugie Nichoalds nee McCanns and five siblings. Lawrence was married to Marjorie McGinley on February 14, 1942. Shortly after, he joined the Army during World War II, and served in North Africa, Southern Italy, Southern France and Germany. He helped liberate Rome during the war, and was involved in the Battle of Anzio Beachhead. Lawrence was the recipient of 4 bronze stars. He was an active member of the VFW group in New Melle, the American Legion in Wentzville and he was a mason. His hobbies included raising Belgian Draft Horses at his home in Foristell and gardening. One of his greatest joys was spending time with his grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.(Pitman Funeral Home Obituary)
Lawrence Monroe Nichoalds born August 20, 1920 in Buchanan County, St Joseph, Missouri to William Alfred Nichoalds and Eugie Bell (McCan) Nichoalds. His father was hit by a car when he was three years old and passing away from injuries. As well his mother died of diabetes when he was five years old. His only recollection of his mother was crawling in bed with her for some motherly affection when she was very ill.
He lived with aunts and uncles, brother and sisters but never really long as nobody could care for an active young man. By age 15 years he was pretty much on his own and lived with local farmers where he worked. He worked extremely hard from sunrise to sunset for food and to keep a roof over his head. He plowed fields with a team of horses and took a horse and wagon to town. In the summer, he worked 12 hour days for $.75 a day.
His High School coach had a large impact on his life. The coach encouraged him to make the most of his life and made him feel he was a value to others. He held the state record for the mile at four minutes and 26 seconds. After graduating from high school in 1939, he received a Track and Field scholarship to the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. At that time a scholarship meant you worked to pay for your education in addition to participating in you sport. His day started at 4.00 am to fire the heaters in the building before he went to class. After class he had track practice followed by other odd jobs before he went home to do his homework. He was just 20 years old and a sophomore in college when the war started.
He had started dating a girl of his dreams, Marjorie McGinley, at the age of 16. Knowing he would be drafted soon, they were married on Valentine's Day 1942. The soon to be soldier was drafted into the army in July 1942.
His rank was corporal and he was sent overseas in 1944. These young and innocent men went off to war to defend their country and never looked back. During the war, he was an anti-aircraft gunner protecting the troops from enemy bombers before they reached camp. They provided ground support for the 36th, 45th and 3rd Divisions. The third division lost 3000 men in one week. After landing in Casablanca, he was transported by train to Africa. He said the train ride involved traveling at 15-20 miles per hour in French railroad cars designed to hold either 40 men or eight horses. The train stopped at each bridge while guards checked the bridge's superstructure for explosives.
They faced many difficulties during the war. He spent his first winter in a swamp area of Italy where they were trapped all winter. Since they were hiding from the enemy, they couldn't light any fire for food or warmth. They were given two pairs of socks; one to wear on their feet and one to wear around their waist to dry. They used their helmets for everything including washing their socks and eating out of them. They were bombed regularly and may of his friends died that winter. Losing some of his closest friends was the hardest part of the war. He remembers once when he and a friend were standing between two army vehicles. For some reason He went to the other side of the vehicles when a grenade blew up killing his friend. Through out the was he kept a personal Bible, which he still carried with him. He was never injured, but became hard of hearing when he was in a foxhole with dirt on top of him and a buddy when a thunderous grenade exploded above them. The loudness of the grenade caused a ringing sound in his ears for weeks.
He was part of the allied forces that helped liberate Rome from German control. While in Rome, the Pope invited the troops to mass in Vatican City. Although he could not see the pope, he could hear him. During the war, he spent time in Italy, Africa, France and Germany. He was in Nuremberg, Germany when Germany surrendered in 1945 and spent the night in the stadium where Hitler made many of his famous speeches. He was discharged from active duty on December 20, 1945. He received four Bronze Stars for his roles in Southern France, Rhineland, Central Europe and Rome-Armo Campaigns. He also received a medal for good conduct.
The happiest day of his life was when he was able to return home from the war on December 20, 1945 after not seeing his wife for three and a half years. Because of his childhood, family was extremely important to him. When he returned home, the started a family right away and were blessed with four children. Those children had 9 Grand-Children and 9 Great-Grand-Children.(Thanks to Jackie (Nichoalds) Vehige for this story)
In 1955 he started working as an over the road truck driver. Driving over a million miles without an accident. Worked for PIE Trucking and retired with them.
-------------------------------
Lawrence "Nick" Monroe Nichoalds passed away on May 4, 2015 at the age of 94. He was the beloved husband of the late Marjorie Nichoalds. He is survived by his four children: Mike (Joni) Nichoalds, Jackie (Jerry) Vehige, Joe (Helen) Nichoalds and Stephanie (Mark) Beckham; 9 grandchildren & 9 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents: William C. & Eugie Nichoalds nee McCanns and five siblings. Lawrence was married to Marjorie McGinley on February 14, 1942. Shortly after, he joined the Army during World War II, and served in North Africa, Southern Italy, Southern France and Germany. He helped liberate Rome during the war, and was involved in the Battle of Anzio Beachhead. Lawrence was the recipient of 4 bronze stars. He was an active member of the VFW group in New Melle, the American Legion in Wentzville and he was a mason. His hobbies included raising Belgian Draft Horses at his home in Foristell and gardening. One of his greatest joys was spending time with his grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.(Pitman Funeral Home Obituary)
He lived with aunts and uncles, brother and sisters but never really long as nobody could care for an active young man. By age 15 years he was pretty much on his own and lived with local farmers where he worked. He worked extremely hard from sunrise to sunset for food and to keep a roof over his head. He plowed fields with a team of horses and took a horse and wagon to town. In the summer, he worked 12 hour days for $.75 a day.
His High School coach had a large impact on his life. The coach encouraged him to make the most of his life and made him feel he was a value to others. He held the state record for the mile at four minutes and 26 seconds. After graduating from high school in 1939, he received a Track and Field scholarship to the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. At that time a scholarship meant you worked to pay for your education in addition to participating in you sport. His day started at 4.00 am to fire the heaters in the building before he went to class. After class he had track practice followed by other odd jobs before he went home to do his homework. He was just 20 years old and a sophomore in college when the war started.
He had started dating a girl of his dreams, Marjorie McGinley, at the age of 16. Knowing he would be drafted soon, they were married on Valentine's Day 1942. The soon to be soldier was drafted into the army in July 1942.
His rank was corporal and he was sent overseas in 1944. These young and innocent men went off to war to defend their country and never looked back. During the war, he was an anti-aircraft gunner protecting the troops from enemy bombers before they reached camp. They provided ground support for the 36th, 45th and 3rd Divisions. The third division lost 3000 men in one week. After landing in Casablanca, he was transported by train to Africa. He said the train ride involved traveling at 15-20 miles per hour in French railroad cars designed to hold either 40 men or eight horses. The train stopped at each bridge while guards checked the bridge's superstructure for explosives.
They faced many difficulties during the war. He spent his first winter in a swamp area of Italy where they were trapped all winter. Since they were hiding from the enemy, they couldn't light any fire for food or warmth. They were given two pairs of socks; one to wear on their feet and one to wear around their waist to dry. They used their helmets for everything including washing their socks and eating out of them. They were bombed regularly and may of his friends died that winter. Losing some of his closest friends was the hardest part of the war. He remembers once when he and a friend were standing between two army vehicles. For some reason He went to the other side of the vehicles when a grenade blew up killing his friend. Through out the was he kept a personal Bible, which he still carried with him. He was never injured, but became hard of hearing when he was in a foxhole with dirt on top of him and a buddy when a thunderous grenade exploded above them. The loudness of the grenade caused a ringing sound in his ears for weeks.
He was part of the allied forces that helped liberate Rome from German control. While in Rome, the Pope invited the troops to mass in Vatican City. Although he could not see the pope, he could hear him. During the war, he spent time in Italy, Africa, France and Germany. He was in Nuremberg, Germany when Germany surrendered in 1945 and spent the night in the stadium where Hitler made many of his famous speeches. He was discharged from active duty on December 20, 1945. He received four Bronze Stars for his roles in Southern France, Rhineland, Central Europe and Rome-Armo Campaigns. He also received a medal for good conduct.
The happiest day of his life was when he was able to return home from the war on December 20, 1945 after not seeing his wife for three and a half years. Because of his childhood, family was extremely important to him. When he returned home, the started a family right away and were blessed with four children. Those children had 9 Grand-Children and 9 Great-Grand-Children.(Thanks to Jackie (Nichoalds) Vehige for this story)
In 1955 he started working as an over the road truck driver. Driving over a million miles without an accident. Worked for PIE Trucking and retired with them.
-------------------------------
Lawrence "Nick" Monroe Nichoalds passed away on May 4, 2015 at the age of 94. He was the beloved husband of the late Marjorie Nichoalds. He is survived by his four children: Mike (Joni) Nichoalds, Jackie (Jerry) Vehige, Joe (Helen) Nichoalds and Stephanie (Mark) Beckham; 9 grandchildren & 9 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents: William C. & Eugie Nichoalds nee McCanns and five siblings. Lawrence was married to Marjorie McGinley on February 14, 1942. Shortly after, he joined the Army during World War II, and served in North Africa, Southern Italy, Southern France and Germany. He helped liberate Rome during the war, and was involved in the Battle of Anzio Beachhead. Lawrence was the recipient of 4 bronze stars. He was an active member of the VFW group in New Melle, the American Legion in Wentzville and he was a mason. His hobbies included raising Belgian Draft Horses at his home in Foristell and gardening. One of his greatest joys was spending time with his grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.(Pitman Funeral Home Obituary)
Gravesite Details
Last breath at 11.04 am and offical time of death 11.14 am.
Family Members
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