Refa Nicholson Ward (1918 - 1994)

NICHOLSON, WARD, CHUMBLEY, WAYMAN, RITTER, STUBBS, FROST, COLES

Posted By: Karen Brewer (email)
Date: 12/29/2021 at 11:32:46

The Osceola Sentinel Tribune, Osceola, Iowa
December 15, 1994, Page 3

REFA NICHOLSON WARD

Refa Nicholson Ward, the daughter of Lela Marie Chumbley and Marion Arthur Nicholson, was born May 10, 1918, and died December 12, 1994, at Des Moines General Hospital in Des Moines. She was 76.

Mrs. Ward was educated in Warren County schools and moved to Des Moines in 1941. She lived in Clarke County after her marriage to Clarence Oscar Ward during August 1960. She was a Clarke County resident from 1963 to 1984 when she returned to live in Des Moines.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Howard, Kermit, Dude and Don Nicholson; two brothers in infancy and a great-grandson, Larry Jr.

Among survivors are daughter, Karen Wayman of Des Moines; grandchildren, Lance D. Wayman and Gisela of Austin, Texas, Lisa D. Ritter and Larry of Des Moines; great-grandsons, Jeremy and Mark; great-granddaughter, Ashley, Dawn and Jennifer; brothers, Marvin Nicholson of Lucas, Merritt Nicholson of Des Moines, Glendal Nicholson of Polk City, Gene Nicholson of Des Moines; sisters, her twin Reta Stubbs of Des Moines and Arlene Frost of Des Moines.

Funeral services for Mrs. Ward will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola with the Rev. Judith Miller of Osceola officiating. Soloist Karen Linhart will sing On the Wings of a Dove and Peace in the Valley accompanied by organist Penny Gonseth.

Burial will be in Bethel Chapel Cemetery, Clarke County with casket bearers Michael Nicholson Jr., Joey Nicholson, Glen Nicholson, Scott Nicholson, Chad Nicholson and Jerry Grant Coles Jr. Honorary casket bearers are Marion "Bud" Nicholson and C. Randall Stubbs.