To view a livestream of the service access https://bethanylutheranchurch58701.com/livestream/

To view the flowers and plants from Daryl's service, click here: Daryl Nicolaisen Flowers

Daryl Nicolaisen , 74, Max, died Tuesday, November 25, 2025 in a Bismarck Hospital with his loving family at his side.

Daryl was born February 18, 1951, in Minot, ND to Herman and Berget (Iverson) Nicolaisen. He was raised and educated in Minot, graduating from Minot High School in 1969.  Never one to shy away from a hard day's work, Daryl began working at Fisher Motors while in high school.  He soon entered the construction world at Steen Construction and took his first shot on heavy equipment as part of the snow removal crew on the Minot Air Force Base.

Daryl married Cleo Steen on September 4, 1970 at Christ Lutheran Church in Minot. They made their home in Minot until 1983, when they moved to the farm in the South Prairie area near Max, ND. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for Gravel Products for the next 31 years. He also maintained his farming interests as a grain farmer on the prairie, building a life over the next 55 years that was blessed with two children, seven grandchildren, countless memories and love beyond measure. He retired in 2010, living briefly in Minot before returning to the farm in 2019 when Cleo retired.

Daryl was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Minot. He was a proud member of the NRA and past member of the Moose Lodge in Minot. He served his community over the years on the Gasman Township and North Prairie Rural Water Boards.

He was known at the local pawnshops, bartering for his next hand tool or interesting find. Daryl found discarded things to be useful and beamed at not paying full price.  Craftsman tools were always considered a score! He was a talented woodworker who loved to tinker with things and enjoyed spending time in the garden with Cleo, enjoying the fruits of their labor at the supper table. League softball with good friends filled many summer nights with laughter in his younger years.  He was a straight shooter who hated politics and taxes.

Daryl will be remembered for his honesty, true friendship to many and his deep love of family.

Daryl is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Cleo, Max; children Lisa (Jordan) Thompson, Minot and Jason (Brandi) Nicolaisen, Max; grandchildren Tristan (Jewel) Thompson, Ryan (Ali) Rustad, Brennan (Allie) Thompson, Braxton Thompson, Parqer Fred, Rebel Nicolaisen and Bonnie Nicolaisen.

Daryl will be greeted first in Heaven by his mother Berget, father, Herman, and stepmother Olive.

Celebration of Daryl's Life: 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot. To view a livestream of the service access https://bethanylutheranchurch58701.com/livestream/

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot

Visitation: Monday, December 1, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials are preferred to Bethany Lutheran Church and Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports.