Joyce Nichols

Joyce Elaine Nichols was born December 16, 1940 to Clayton and Hazel (Kordell) Johnson in St. Paul, Minnesota. She graduated from Mechanic Arts High School in St. Paul in 1958 and received an associate degree from the University of Minnesota. She married after high school and had the joy of her son, Eric. During this time she worked for the Minnesota Department of Personnel. She then worked for the State of Minnesota in the Minnesota Senate Budget Office from 1973-1977. During this time she met Jim Nichols while he was serving as a state senator. On May 29, 1981 Joyce and Jim were married and their union was blessed with 35 years of life together. She briefly cared for her parents in Shreveport, Louisiana. Joyce and Jim made their home near Lake Benton, Minnesota and enjoyed winters in Port St. Lucie, Florida. On September 4, 2016 Joyce passed peacefully at her Lake Benton home in the arms of her family.

Joyce was a member of the United Methodist Church. Her avocations were native birds, butterflies, and politics. She especially enjoyed time spent with her granddaughters, shopping and traveling.

Joyce is lovingly remembered by her husband, Jim Nichols; her daughters, Tami (Allen) Trigg of Lake Benton, MN, Kristi Nichols (Tonia Olson) of Mertztown, PA, and Penni Nichols of Lake Benton, MN; granddaughters, Kayleen (Glenn) Hofer and Alyna Trigg; sister, Lois Gass of Boca Raton, FL; brother, Robert (Rosemary) Johnson of Plantation, FL; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her son, Eric; her parents; brother-in-law, Robert Gass; and sister-in-law, June Nichols.

Blessed be her memory.

Memorials may be directed to Hope DAC in Tyler.