Elmer Fredrick Nichols passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 8, 2015, at Iola Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Iola. He was born at home in rural Carlyle on Oct. 8, 1912, to William Harold and Libby Helen (Kettle) Nichols. He grew up in the Carlyle area and graduated from Iola High School in 1930. He married Fern Roney on Jan. 26, 1935, in Erie. They lived and farmed in the Carlyle area until 1945 when they moved to their farm north of Geneva where they raised their two daughters.
Through his adult life Elmer was very active in the community. He was a lifetime member of Carlyle Presbyterian Church where he served as elder as well as church treasurer for 30 years. He served on the Geneva School Board for 17 years. Elmer served on the Board of Directors of the United Electric Cooperative for 40 years, 21 of which he was president. He also served on the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service for more than 25 years.
He is survived by two daughters, Patricia Nichols and Sharon Frederick both of West Des Moines, Iowa; two granddaughters, Stephanie (John) Reinhardt, Clive, Iowa, and Lauren Frederick, West Des Moines, Iowa; three great-grandchildren, Abigail, Gabriel, and Sadie Reinhardt, Clive, Iowa; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Fern Nichols; their infant daughter, Beverly Ann Nichols; his parents; an infant brother, William; his brother, Raymond Nichols; and his sister, Dorothy Loomis.
The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to all the staff at the Iola Rehabilitation and Health Care Center for their loving care of Elmer in his later years.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. The service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Geneva Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution can be made to Carlyle Presbyterian Church. To sign the guestbook online or leave a condolence, go to www.iolafuneral.com.
Elmer Nichols
