Freida Nickels

Freida was born June 26, 1937, the tenth and final child of Mike and Anna Clauss in Hamilton County, IL. She passed away peacefully at her home in Pinnacle Place, Savanna, IL, just two weeks shy of her 88th birthday. Several weeks ago, she told family members that she did not want to have another birthday. Being the determined woman she was (and also of German heritage), she somehow made that a reality.  Per her request, there will be no funeral service.

She was a 1955 graduate of Elburn, IL, High School. She was the first in her family to graduate from High school.

She married LeRoy Nickels on October 13, 1956. Together, they had four children, and she worked on the farm along with her husband. They divorced in 1989.

In 1993, she fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a registered nurse when she graduated from Waubonsee Community College. She worked at Delnor Hospital (Geneva, IL) for several years before moving to Fulton, IL, to be near her grandchildren. She retired from Mercy Home Care in 2004. Her most important vocation was “Mom” and “Granny”.

She is survived by her four children: Carol (Drew) Kingery of Liberty, MO; Jack Nickels of Savanna, IL; Dorothy (Rodney) Thulen of New Boston, IL; and Jennifer (Lance) Abernathy of Sabula, IA; four grandchildren: Kaitlyn (Jenner), Cassie (Cooper), Everett (Aryelle), and Nick (Olivia); five great-grandchildren: Jax, Ellie, Oliver, Edith, and Arlo; one sister Erma “Sis”; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, five sisters, and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff of Pinnacle Place for the excellent care she received since October 2000. Special thanks to Hospice nurse Brittany Brewer, who became a family member to Mom.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on her memory page at mvcremation.com.