Ann (Armstrong) NICHOLS

ARMSTRONG, NICHOLS, PETERSON, STAYROOK, KETCHUM, NICHOLS-KETCHUM, SINDT, CRAFTON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 11/19/2015 at 01:28:33

September 8, 1936 --- November 15, 2015

Ann Armstrong Nichols, 79, of Jefferson, Iowa died on November 15, 2015 at Mercy Medical Center - West Lakes in West Des Moines, Iowa from liver cancer.

The daughter of Thomas Emmett and Evelyn (Peterson) Armstrong, she was born September 8, 1936 in Cresco, Iowa. She spent her childhood in Harmony, Minnesota. She graduated Mankato State Teacher's College and taught school in Winnebago, Minnesota where she met her husband, David Milton Nichols. They were married August 6, 1960 in Harmony, Minnesota. Ann and David lived their married lives in Zumbrota, Rochester, Harmony, St Paul, Owatonna, Brookings, SD, Staunton, VA, Ft Worth, TX, Hospers, IA, Eagle Grove, IA and after the death of her husband, Ann lived with her daughter Linda in Jefferson.

Ann was a loving wife and mother. Although she gave up teaching to raise her family, she taught exercise classes with park and rec programs and athletic clubs in many places over the years. Her greatest joy was her family. She loved all family gatherings and attending the events important to her children and grandchildren, from musical contests and concerts to sporting events & plays or just spending time together. Over the years she and David ran businesses together. After David's death on November 12, 2011, she moved to Jefferson and joined St Joseph's Outreach Ministry and Friday Club.

Ann is survived by five children, all living
Linda Nichols, Jefferson, Iowa – daughter Catharine (Ian) Stayrook

Martha Nichols-Ketchum and husband Charles Ketchum, Fayetteville, Arkansas – son Bradley Ketchum

Elizabeth Sindt and husband Robert Sindt, Polk City, Iowa – children Anna, Laura, Philip, Timothy

Daniel M Nichols and wife Lisa, Rio Vista, Texas – children Samantha, David, Richard, Alexandria, Jessica

Philip D Nichols and wife Sandra, West Des Moines, Iowa – children Danielle and Joshua

She is also survived by her four siblings: Tom Armstrong of Lanesboro, Minnesota; Kathryn Crafton of Huntington Beach, California; Jon Armstrong of Maple Grove, Minnesota and Carroll Armstrong of Harmony, Minnesota.

Her body donated to Des Moines University Medical School. There will be a reception and prayer service from 4-7 pm on Sunday, November 22 at Prairie Blue, 114 North Wilson, Jefferson, Iowa. Arrangements By ~ Dunn's Funeral Home.

http://www.ilesfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Ann-Armstrong-Nichols/Jefferson-IA/1563330