Enoch (Nick) Cordes (91) of Turtle Lake, Wisconsin passed away on April 8, 2026 at Amery Memory Care, finally at peace after a long battle with cancer and dementia. Nick was born on June 28, 1934 to George and Helen (Chartraw) Cordes at his childhood home on the banks of Horseshoe Lake in Polk County, Wisconsin. In addition to his parents, he grew up under the watchful eye of his Uncle (and nickname sake) Nick Chartraw and sister Loretta (Cordes) Waldo.

Growing up on Horseshoe Lake, Nick developed a deep love for fishing, hard work, and family. Whether helping on the farm, tending the garden, or taking on carpentry projects, he was always willing to lend a hand. No matter how busy life became, he always found his way back to the water—where he felt most at peace.

Nick attended Horseshoe Lake Grade School up the road from his home, followed by Turtle Lake High School as a member of the Class of 1952. During his school years, Nick was a talented athlete playing football, basketball, baseball and running track. He set a school record in the 100 yard dash his senior year at TLHS that still stands as luckily for Nick, the change to the 100 meter dash cemented this accomplishment!

After graduating high school, Nick began his college journey at University of St. Thomas before completing his bachelor’s degree at River Falls State College in 1957. He later earned his master’s degree from Stout State University in 1973.

Nick served in the US Army from 1957 to 1959. He was stationed in Germany during the Berlin Crisis. Once his superiors found out he could “type” he was put to use for record keeping and correspondence. He did have a chance to travel to many parts of Europe during his overseas assignment. After returning home, he began teaching at Turtle Lake High School in 1961. First teaching Agriculture and then as the first Industrial Arts teacher, retiring in 1996 after a successful 35 year career.

Nick also worked as a coach, umpire and referee during his teaching years. He felt very honored when students would greet him around town and share school memories with him, and for a long time Nick could remember most of his students. At the ceremony for the 100 year anniversary of Turtle Lake High School, a former student talked about how Nick inspired him to become an Industrial Arts teacher as well.

On July 10, 1965, Nick married Donna Mae Reiter. Nick and Donna met on a blind date set up by Nick’s cousin and Donna’s sorority sister, Rosie Peichel. Rosie thought they would be a good match and 60+ years later that was certainly true! Nick and Donna built their home on Skinaway Lake and resided there until downsizing in 2023. Oldest son Kevin was born in 1966, followed by son Donald in 1967. Daughters Karen, born in 1970 and Wendy, in 1975 completed the Cordes family.

In addition to fishing, Nick also enjoyed golfing, hunting, playing cards and mowing lawns. He was also an avid collector of stamps and coins. Nick enjoyed annual fishing trips to Canada and he and Donna traveled extensively throughout the United States. Nick documented each and every trip which helped him remember these times when his memory started to fail him.

Nick was also very active in the community, wearing many different hats; member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church; Scoutmaster of the Cub Scouts; Grand Knight and Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and member of the Turtle Lake Lions Club. It would be difficult to count how many raffle tickets he sold during his tenure in the Knights of Columbus or beer tickets at the Turtle Lake Fair for the Lions Club. If you are reading this, chances are you bought at least one or the other!

Nick also loved doing the K of C annual Tootsie Roll drives to support people with developmental disabilities. Nick also collected pop tabs for Ronald McDonald House with an original goal of collecting 6 million, one for every Holocaust victim. He successfully completed this project in 2021.

Nick was a humble man who did many small things that made a big impact in the community. Over the last ten years, dementia gradually stole Nick’s memories but never diminished his smile, sense of humor or love of his family and friends.

Nick is reunited in Heaven with his parents, George & Helen (Chartraw) Cordes; sister and brother-in-law Loretta (Cordes) & Arlo Waldo; niece Christine Waldo; his father and mother in-law Wendolyn and Edna Reiter and brother-in-law LeRoy Reiter.

Nick is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Donna; his sons Kevin (Lori) Cordes and Donald (LouAnn) Cordes; his daughters Karen (Daniel) Bursek and Wendy (Kent) Coleman; his grandchildren Kyler (Emily) Coleman, Kelcy Coleman, Kassy (Bob Gilbertson) Coleman, Bridget Bursek and Bethany Bursek; and his great-grandson Caden Coleman. He is also lovingly remembered by his nieces, nephews, cousins, brother and sisters-in-law and dear friends.

The Family would like to thank the care teams at Amery Memory Care, St. Croix Hospice and the Barron County Daybreak program for their care and support of Nick’s long battles with cancer and dementia.

In honor of Nick’s life and legacy, the family suggests memorial donations in lieu of flowers to the Barron County Daybreak program, Turtle Lake Fab Lab or local charity of your choosing.

A Rosary Service will be held at 10:15 AM on Friday, April 17, 2026, at St. Ann Catholic Church in Turtle Lake led by the Knights of Columbus. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow celebrated by Father Jayanna Kanna. Visitation will be from 4-7 PM on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Skinner Funeral Home in Turtle Lake  and one hour prior to mass. Military honors will be accorded by Donalds-Hylkema Post #137 American Legion of Turtle Lake immediately following mass. Interment will be at St. Ann’s Cemetery.

Last Update: Apr 13, 2026 9:08 am CDT