Ann Nichols

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 and 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; and 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 was donated to Des Moines University Medical School.  There will be a reception and prayer service from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 22, at Prairie Blue, 114 North Wilson, Jefferson, Iowa.