A reception and prayer service was held Sunday, Nov. 22, at Prairie Blue, 114 N. Wilson in Jefferson, for Ann Armstrong Nichols, 79, of Jefferson. Ann died of liver cancer Nov. 15, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center – West Lakes in West Des Moines. Her body has been donated to Des Moines University medical school.
The daughter of Thomas Emmett and Evelyn (Peterson) Armstrong, she was born Sept. 8, 1936, in Cresco, IA. She spent her childhood in Harmony, MN.
She graduated Mankato State Teacher’s College and taught school in Winnebago, MN, where she met her husband, David Milton Nichols. They were married Aug. 6, 1960, in Harmony.
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 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 and plays or just spending time together. Over the years she and David ran businesses together.
After David’s death on Nov. 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 of Jefferson, and daughter Catharine (Ian) Stayrook; Martha Nichols-Ketchum and husband Charles Ketchum of Fayetteville, AR, and son Bradley Ketchum; Elizabeth Sindt and husband Robert Sindt of Polk City, Iowa and children Anna, Laura, Philip and Timothy; Daniel M. Nichols and wife Lisa of Rio Vista, TX, and children Samantha, David, Richard, Alexandria and Jessica; and Philip D Nichols and wife Sandra of West Des Moines and children Danielle and Joshua.
She is also survived by her four siblings: Tom Armstrong of Lanesboro, MN, Kathryn Crafton of Huntington Beach, CA, Jon Armstrong of Maple Grove, MN, and Carroll Armstrong of Harmony.
The family is assisted by Dunn’s Chapel, Iles Funeral Homes, Des Moines, 515-244-2121.
