Elma Jean Nichols
Elma Jean Nichols, 87 of Friendship, Wisconsin passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, July 19, 2024.
Elma was born October 22, 1936 in Coloma, WI to Arnold and Margaret (Lyon) Sorenson. She attended Adams-Friendship High School graduating in 1954. Elma married the love of her life, Charles Nichols, on December 4, 1954 in Coloma, WI. From this beautiful union the Lord gave them four daughters; Patricia, Peggy, Norma, and Nancy.
Charles built their home in Adams County in 1959 where they enjoyed country living. Elma’s work history included bookkeeper for the Farmers Union Cooperative, sales clerk and bookkeeper at Murph’s Department Store, school bus driver for Adams-Friendship School District, and bookkeeper for Grand Marsh State Bank.
She enjoyed raising her four daughters to know and love the Lord. She delighted in visiting with family and friends and corresponded with many by letters.
Her family knew Elma for her insightful advice and wonderful hugs. She had some notable sayings throughout her years also. The most famous and beloved one of her children and grandchildren is: “Why are there fourteen people in my kitchen?”
Some of her favorite things were car rides with Charles to see the countryside; vegetable and flower gardening; daisies, daffodils, and yellow pansies; quiet times with Charles viewing nature out their large kitchen table window; regularly attending Grace Bible Conferences to strengthen her walk with the Lord; listening to her beloved husband sing classical and gospel songs; reading her variety of books; and listening to gospel music with the dearest one to her heart being: “Complete in Thee.”
Elma was preceded in death by her parents Arnold and Margaret Sorenson; Aunts and Uncles: Bethel (Robert) Hazeltine, Mildred (Marvin) Neuman, Vinetta Hollers; and son-in-law, Dave Dowden.
Survivors include her husband Charles of 69 years. Daughters: Patricia (Leslie) Landon of Friendship, Peggy (Scott) Willis of De Pere, Norma (Rick) Abbott of Whiting, and Nancy Dowden of Adams. Grandchildren: Cynthia (Royce) Hazel of Wisconsin Rapids, Peter (Jessica) Landon of Friendship, Michael Landon of Friendship, David (Megan) Willis of Green Bay, Amy (Nick) Darnick of De Pere, Benjamin (Kate) Abbott of St. Francis, Daniel Abbott of Nekoosa, Emily Abbott of Stevens Point, Ashley (Joe) Noelke of La Crosse, and Amanda (Aaron) Johnson of DeForest. Great grandchildren, Gavin Hazel, Zoe Hazel, Hannah (Aaron) Tully, Riley Landon, Jadyn Landon, Logan Landon, Crispin Landon, Haiden Landon, Desiree Landon, Korbin Landon, Jackson Willis, Sawyer Willis, Breleigh Darnick, Matthew Darnick, Sophie Korbal, Brooklyn Korbal-Abbott, Vincent Noelke, Charles “Charlie” Noelke, Alexia Johnson, and Aiden Johnson.
Donations in memory of Elma can be made to Berean Bible Institute of West Bend, WI; Milwaukee Rescue Mission, Milwaukee, WI; or the Adams County chapter of the Salvation Army.
A private celebration of life will follow at a later date.
The family of Elma thanks the staff of Rosebrooke Assisted Living Center and Heartland Hospice for their wonderful care.
Roseberry’s Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Sincere condolences to the Nichols family. So sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Mrs. Nichols was my bus driver. I thought she was the best! I remember liking how she snapped her gum when she chewed it. I wanted to do that too.
Charlie, Patty, Peggy, Norma, Nancy and families..,
Somehow I must have missed this…until I received my paper today.
I am so sorry to see this….I worked with Elma at Murph’s in Adams, oh so many years ago. I remember her as a sweet loving person that always had a smile and kind words for you…Elma was a delight to be around.
Condolences to all of you…please know your family is in my thoughts and prayers 🙏 at this very difficult time.
May God Bless your family and bring you some peace and comfort as you heal. Love and Hugs to all of you ❤️
So sorry for your loss. May you all find comfort knowing she is with our heavenly father.
We are so sorry to hear of Elma’s passing and know the kind of void she will leave in your lives. She was such a wonderful woman, filled with wisdom, quick in wit, a rock of faith, always had a sparkle of fun in her eyes….an amazing role model for us all. We know that she is in paradise with her Savior in Heaven. We pray for our Lord’s divine comfort for you and all of us who are left, during this very difficult time of grief.
Dear Nichols Family,
So sorry to hear about Elma’s passing away, and I pray that God will comfort you and strengthen you during this time.
It is a wonderful testimony, to hear how much she Loved The Lord Jesus in her Life, and how she raised up her Family to believe in Him!!!
Take Care and God Bless!
Lennard A. Wilson
Our sympathy to Elma’s family at this sad time. She was a classmate of my Dad’s. It’s hard to lose a parent. Cherish your memories of time spent with her.
So sorry for your loss
I am so sorry to hear of Elma’s passing. She was such a great woman. I am keeping you all in my prayers 💕
Nichols family, I’m sorry to hear of your mothers passing. She was such a nice lady. My sympathy to you all.
I’m so sorry on your loss