Bertram Carl Nicke was born in Mt. Clemens Michigan on October 19, 1929 to his mother, Caroline Lipke, and his father, John Nicke. He died peaceably on August 22, 2020 surrounded by the love of his children and grandchildren.
Dad was preceded in death by
... his wife of 65 years, Darlene Nicke, who passed in 2013.
... his son Jonathan
... his son Daniel
Dad is survived by 11 children: Dianne Geurdes, Mark Nicke, Joseph Nicke, Timothy Nicke, Thomas Nicke, Darryl Nicke, Deborah Nicke, Tanya Nicke, Tamara Miserendino, Darlene (Lene) Patrick, Bert Nicke.
There are almost too many grandchildren and great-grandchildren to mention. Please visit the website for more information on Bert & Darlene's children.
Many many years ago, Dad brought a 3' strip of birch-wood and carved the words:
"Bert Loves Darlene Forever"
This was prominently and proudly placed on the kitchen wall. This became his legacy, and one that we all strive to live by. (Ephesians 5:25)
Some history:
Shortly after Dad was born and due to family problems, he was raised by, and in the home of , his maternal grandparents on Lincoln Street in Mt. Clemens. He attended the Mt. Clemens High School on Cass Avenue, and was a member of their football team, known as the "Bathers".
Dad loved music, and he learned to play the Hawaiian guitar. Music actually led him to meet the love of his life, Darlene Jelinek, as they both played with a musical group and cut several records that were played on public radio. Mom (Darlene) played the Bass fiddle.
They married at a very young age: Dad was 19 and mom was 16. They were fruitful and multiplied ... By the time mom was 21, and dad was 24, they managed a family of 5 children: Dianne (5-year-old), Mark (2-year-old and in diapers), Joe (1-year-old and in diapers), and the identical twins (Timothy and Thomas --- many more diapers!). Bear in mind, that in those days, there were no "Pampers" ... Many years later when Dad was asked how he managed that time period, his face took on a distant look as he replied: "the whole period is sort of a blur".
Dad was a loving father, and good provider. He worked hard. He had several jobs (Cleaning fish at a Fish market, sheet metal worker, Brewery worker, among others). But Dad had a keen mind, and received an education in electronics (radio and television). Soon, he was able to work for RCA as a repairman. RCA kept laying dad off of work, so he started his own repair business. I remember that each room in our home had a TV in it, as many would leave the TV's with dad, and never return to pick up the repaired units, as they purchased new -- Especially since color TV was just breaking on the market. Dad was quite ingenious when it came to the sciences, inadvertently providing enough information for his boys to secretly make an arc-welder out of old battery parts which were used to melt silverware, bed frames, coat hangers, etc ... and cause Joe to get welder's flash blindness for one night ... All of this without mom and dad being aware --- until much later in life. Too many kids to oversee. Childhood with mom and dad was exciting.
We lost our dear brother Daniel at only 6 months of age -- breaking mom and dad's hearts. But soon would come more ... Darryl and Deborah, making 7 children.
With 7 kids now, and work being slow, we children often awoke to gunshots fired from the kitchen window, as my dad bagged our "dinner" (pheasant and rabbit). He would clean them up and make them look like they came from a supermarket meat section, shower, shave, and head out looking for more work. He was truly a tireless provider.
Dad applied for a job at Detroit's IBM branch, but was not selected. So he flew to California in 1961 and applied at IBM Anaheim California, where he was hired as a Customer Engineer working on IBM's flagship systems. But mom and the 9 kids were in Michigan. So mom made the cross-country road trip with 7 children in a very packed station wagon. Many would stare at the sight. Mom made up a sign put in the car window: "Stop counting. There are 9 of us. When we are 12, we will buy a bus".
In 1963, nostalgia and longing to be with Michigan family motivated my Dad to request a transfer to the Detroit IBM office, which was granted, so back to 36125 Groesbeck Highway (the place most of the oldest children call their childhood "home".
Mom and dad continued "fruitful", producing more kids: Jonathan (our late brother), Tanya, Tamara, and finally their 2 namesakes, Darlene, and Bert -- bringing the total to 13 children born, 12 living at the time. We asked Dad why so many children. His answer: "Mom must be allergic to me, because every time I walk by, she swells up". Dad became "The Leader of the Band" which is now our legacy.
Backing up a bit, the highlight of Dad's life was his faith. In 1955, Doctor John Dusty (and his wife, Hilda) knocked on Dad's door on Groesbeck Highway. "Brother" Dusty was not only a doctor, but also one of Jehovah's Witnesses (ministers of Jehovah's Witnesses do not receive salaries for their work, so they have occupations to support their careers as ministers). My Dad said: "When brother Dusty came to my door, I thought to myself: 'Well, I know a thing or 2 about the Bible, I'll talk with him'. But I discovered that I knew, not the Bible, but traditions and stories." Dad learned God's name -- Jehovah, and learned to deeply appreciate the role His son, Jesus, fulfilled in glorifying his Father. In 1956, both Dad and Mom were baptized and became ordained ministers. In 1958, Dianne, the oldest was baptized at the famous New York Convention. Going to Christian meetings and participating in the community work of sharing the Bible's truths with our neighbors became a centerpiece in our lives as we grew up, and each of us have benefited from the lessons and discipline this taught us.
Please see the website to see a video of Mom and Dad's 50th wedding anniversary, and you will get a feel for the challenges and joys of raising a very large family. Every one of my siblings deeply love and respect our parents for their faith, courage, and most of all -- love.
Mom died in 2013, and has been sorely missed. Dad spent the remainder of his time up until now building and nurturing his faith, attending Christian meetings, and praying both privately and with family -- heartfelt prayers that inspired and built us up. Dad's faith allowed him to truly look forward to Jehovah's promise of the resurrection -- to seeing his Dad (Grandpa John), his wife (Darlene) and his sons (Jon and Danny) -- being with them again and enjoying their company.
We look forward to the same ... Sadly, we will miss him terribly until that time.
Dad was preceded in death by
... his wife of 65 years, Darlene Nicke, who passed in 2013.
... his son Jonathan
... his son Daniel
Dad is survived by 11 children: Dianne Geurdes, Mark Nicke, Joseph Nicke, Timothy Nicke, Thomas Nicke, Darryl Nicke, Deborah Nicke, Tanya Nicke, Tamara Miserendino, Darlene (Lene) Patrick, Bert Nicke.
There are almost too many grandchildren and great-grandchildren to mention. Please visit the website for more information on Bert & Darlene's children.
Many many years ago, Dad brought a 3' strip of birch-wood and carved the words:
"Bert Loves Darlene Forever"
This was prominently and proudly placed on the kitchen wall. This became his legacy, and one that we all strive to live by. (Ephesians 5:25)
Some history:
Shortly after Dad was born and due to family problems, he was raised by, and in the home of , his maternal grandparents on Lincoln Street in Mt. Clemens. He attended the Mt. Clemens High School on Cass Avenue, and was a member of their football team, known as the "Bathers".
Dad loved music, and he learned to play the Hawaiian guitar. Music actually led him to meet the love of his life, Darlene Jelinek, as they both played with a musical group and cut several records that were played on public radio. Mom (Darlene) played the Bass fiddle.
They married at a very young age: Dad was 19 and mom was 16. They were fruitful and multiplied ... By the time mom was 21, and dad was 24, they managed a family of 5 children: Dianne (5-year-old), Mark (2-year-old and in diapers), Joe (1-year-old and in diapers), and the identical twins (Timothy and Thomas --- many more diapers!). Bear in mind, that in those days, there were no "Pampers" ... Many years later when Dad was asked how he managed that time period, his face took on a distant look as he replied: "the whole period is sort of a blur".
Dad was a loving father, and good provider. He worked hard. He had several jobs (Cleaning fish at a Fish market, sheet metal worker, Brewery worker, among others). But Dad had a keen mind, and received an education in electronics (radio and television). Soon, he was able to work for RCA as a repairman. RCA kept laying dad off of work, so he started his own repair business. I remember that each room in our home had a TV in it, as many would leave the TV's with dad, and never return to pick up the repaired units, as they purchased new -- Especially since color TV was just breaking on the market. Dad was quite ingenious when it came to the sciences, inadvertently providing enough information for his boys to secretly make an arc-welder out of old battery parts which were used to melt silverware, bed frames, coat hangers, etc ... and cause Joe to get welder's flash blindness for one night ... All of this without mom and dad being aware --- until much later in life. Too many kids to oversee. Childhood with mom and dad was exciting.
We lost our dear brother Daniel at only 6 months of age -- breaking mom and dad's hearts. But soon would come more ... Darryl and Deborah, making 7 children.
With 7 kids now, and work being slow, we children often awoke to gunshots fired from the kitchen window, as my dad bagged our "dinner" (pheasant and rabbit). He would clean them up and make them look like they came from a supermarket meat section, shower, shave, and head out looking for more work. He was truly a tireless provider.
Dad applied for a job at Detroit's IBM branch, but was not selected. So he flew to California in 1961 and applied at IBM Anaheim California, where he was hired as a Customer Engineer working on IBM's flagship systems. But mom and the 9 kids were in Michigan. So mom made the cross-country road trip with 7 children in a very packed station wagon. Many would stare at the sight. Mom made up a sign put in the car window: "Stop counting. There are 9 of us. When we are 12, we will buy a bus".
In 1963, nostalgia and longing to be with Michigan family motivated my Dad to request a transfer to the Detroit IBM office, which was granted, so back to 36125 Groesbeck Highway (the place most of the oldest children call their childhood "home".
Mom and dad continued "fruitful", producing more kids: Jonathan (our late brother), Tanya, Tamara, and finally their 2 namesakes, Darlene, and Bert -- bringing the total to 13 children born, 12 living at the time. We asked Dad why so many children. His answer: "Mom must be allergic to me, because every time I walk by, she swells up". Dad became "The Leader of the Band" which is now our legacy.
Backing up a bit, the highlight of Dad's life was his faith. In 1955, Doctor John Dusty (and his wife, Hilda) knocked on Dad's door on Groesbeck Highway. "Brother" Dusty was not only a doctor, but also one of Jehovah's Witnesses (ministers of Jehovah's Witnesses do not receive salaries for their work, so they have occupations to support their careers as ministers). My Dad said: "When brother Dusty came to my door, I thought to myself: 'Well, I know a thing or 2 about the Bible, I'll talk with him'. But I discovered that I knew, not the Bible, but traditions and stories." Dad learned God's name -- Jehovah, and learned to deeply appreciate the role His son, Jesus, fulfilled in glorifying his Father. In 1956, both Dad and Mom were baptized and became ordained ministers. In 1958, Dianne, the oldest was baptized at the famous New York Convention. Going to Christian meetings and participating in the community work of sharing the Bible's truths with our neighbors became a centerpiece in our lives as we grew up, and each of us have benefited from the lessons and discipline this taught us.
Please see the website to see a video of Mom and Dad's 50th wedding anniversary, and you will get a feel for the challenges and joys of raising a very large family. Every one of my siblings deeply love and respect our parents for their faith, courage, and most of all -- love.
Mom died in 2013, and has been sorely missed. Dad spent the remainder of his time up until now building and nurturing his faith, attending Christian meetings, and praying both privately and with family -- heartfelt prayers that inspired and built us up. Dad's faith allowed him to truly look forward to Jehovah's promise of the resurrection -- to seeing his Dad (Grandpa John), his wife (Darlene) and his sons (Jon and Danny) -- being with them again and enjoying their company.
We look forward to the same ... Sadly, we will miss him terribly until that time.
