Wilma "Charlene" (BORRUSCH) NICHOLS

BORRUSCH, NICHOLS, WEEDA, SWANK, WILLEY

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/5/2009 at 20:58:32

OBITUARY - WILMA "CHARLENE" (BORRUSCH) NICHOLS

Wilma Charlene (BORRUSCH) NICHOLS, younger daughter of Charles Henry and Nancy Christine (WEEDA) BORRUSCH, was born October 18, 1919 and departed this life February 13, 2007 at Ringgold County Hospital. Charlene was born at Tingley in Ringgold County and spent her entire life here until 1994 when her life was forever changed by a stroke. She resided in a nursing home in Creston for seven years before moving to Mount Ayr Health Care Center in 2001.

Charlene attended Willow Shade country school three-fourths of a mile south of home where she memorized poems which she remembered all her life and would often recite them when visiting with her family. Her high school years were spent in town school at Tingley where she graduated with the class of 1936. After six months of normal training at Cedar Falls she had to spend a year waiting to turn 18 so she could receive her teaching certificate. She then taught at Concord School, Cozy Corner, and Ames Academy.

On May 10, 1941 Charlene married Franklin NICHOLS at her Aunt Nell WEEDA's home in Maryville, MO. Charlene became Mom to three lucky children - Charles Dean, Nancy, and Merry Ann. She was a loving mother and later became a devoted Gram who would do anything for her grandchildren. Her health prevented her from taking an active part in her great-grandchildren's lives, but she loved them intensely and never tired of hearing about their antics.

Charlene was baptized in 1931 when evangalistic meetings were held in the newly constructed brick Christian Church. From then on she worked tirelessly in the church and CWF holding many of the offices for a number of years.

A gifted communicator, she wrote thousands of cards and letters to her family and friends. She had a fantastic memory for birthdays and anniversaries and could recall those dates for many, many people.

Charlene was especially happy when cooking or baking food to share with her family or with neighbors. She prepared and delivered food to those in the Tingley area who had lost a loved one or who were ill.

Because of her father's illness she was a faithful worker for the American Cancer Society for many years.

Those who will cherish her memory are her children : Charles Dean and Mary NICHOLS of Lakewood, CO, Nancy and Ron WILLEY of Mount Ayr, Merry Ann SWANK of Creston; grandchildren: Jennifer CLINE, Matt and Kris SWANK, Scott and Elayne NICHOLS, Suzanne NICHOLS, Brett and Erik LYONS; great-grandchildren: Laura, Sara, and Dylan SWANK, Jessica NICHOLS; cousins and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, and sister.

Memorials have been established for Tingley Christian Church and Mt. Ayr Health Care Center.

Services were held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 16, 2007, Tingley Christian Church, Tingley, Iowa.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009