Mark Allen Nichols, 54, passed away on October 23, 2007 at his residence in Staples.  Memorial services for Mark will be held on Saturday, October 27, 2007, 11 a.m., at the Assembly of God Church in Staples with Rev. Roy Miles officiating.  Friends may call on Saturday, October 27, 2007 starting at 10:00 a.m., in the church.  Interment will be held at Evergreen Hill Cemetery in Staples.

 Mark was born on October 8, 1953 in Staples to Orel and Goldie (Martin) Nichols.  He was raised in Staples where he attended grade school and high school.  Mark attended Staples Technical College.  During this time he worked summers with “Midway of Fun Shows” out of Detroit Lakes.  Mark’s tech training for “Tool & Die” and “Machinist” lead to work in Minneapolis with Gressens Manufacturing and then World Aero Space.  After a couple of years working in the cities Mark returned back to Staples and worked for Homecrest of Wadena for a short time until he was hired as a laborer with Burlington Northern Railroad in June of 1975.  He spent the next 29 years working and building seniority in various positions with the railroad.  Mark also became the Union Rep for this area with “Maintenance of Way” in 1994 and continued until he left employment in 2004. Mark and Candius also owned and operated a road grading business for 10 years that provided grading services to several of the townships in the area.  Mark loved fishing, hunting, trapping and motorcycles.  They were a great passion of his.  He became certified as a Trapping Instructor with Minnesota Trapping Association.  Mark and Candius began a life together in May of 1973 while they were both in Technical College.  They were married on November 16, 1978 and have enjoyed 34 years together.  

Mark is survived by his wife:  Candius L. Gruchow-Nichols, 2 daughters:  Qiana Quinn Schroeder of Coleraine, Minnesota, Cheyanne (Gerry) Koval of Staples, 2 brothers:  Jerry Orel Nichols of Staples, James (Rita) Ivan Nichols of Burlington, Vermont, 7 grandchildren:  Joshua, Kiya, Shayla, Amber, Matika, Dusty and Teagan.

 Mark is preceded in death by his parents Orel and Goldie, and a brother.