Nicole Names

On August 18, 2018, Nicole Jean Names of Glenwood, MN, joined the angels in heaven, bringing with her the list of loved ones she wanted to say hello to when she got there.  Nicole lived a life full of love, laughter and joy that she spread to anyone she touched.  She was born in Crookston, MN on October 5, 1972, the daughter of Jean Berg and Raymond Berg. She grew up in Crookston, MN, attending Crookston Central High School in the class of 1991 before attending Concordia College graduating with a degree in Social Work. 

Nicole married Mitch Names on September 28, 1996.  They have two beautifully intelligent daughters, Grace (17) and Gretta (14).  The four of them took nothing for granted and created many treasured memories, from travels to Florida, Hawaii, California; enjoying concerts and spending time on their pontoon.  Nicole’s loving, caring, and pay-it-forward spirit lives on in her girls.  Family and friends were so important to Nicole and there were few weekends where they were not hosting or traveling for some event. She held true to that and was with friends at the lake, on a paddle board the very morning she became so ill.

Her passion for helping people and specifically children led her to working for County Human Services beginning with Clay County in child protection and adoption.  Because of her tremendous abilities for having compassion and getting things done, her leadership paved the way for her to move on to become the Human Service Director for Nobles and Pipestone Counties, while living in Luverne, MN.  In order to move closer to family she became the Human Services Director for Pope County (Glenwood, MN) where she worked before taking her last ‘Happy Dance’ out the door before leaving for vacation.  She used that leadership in her involvement with the Minnesota Association of County Social Services, chairing various committees and lending her voice for advocacy. 

In her final days when visitors told her they were so lucky to have known her she said, “I’m the lucky one”!  Even towards the end, she was helping all of those who visited, and she wanted to know what she could do for them.  Her Faith in God was so strong, and it gave her peace as she took her journey to heaven. 

Nicole leaves behind her loving husband and cherished daughters; her parents and her sister, Melanie Berg (Gary Knutson); brothers: Mark Berg (Reneé Beltrand), Steve Berg (Mary Berg); nieces and nephews: Derek, Erika, Jenifer, Steele, Skye and Jett; along with Nichole Stallman Urton and great nephews: Gavin and Xander Berg;  mother-in-law, Bernice Names; sisters-in-law: Susan (Brent) Allen; Linda (Raymond Jr.) Ellingworth; Sandy Names; Mary (Mark) Starkweather; many nieces, nephews and numerous friends. 

Preceded in death by her father-in-law, Harlow Names.

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