Betty Lou Nickels

Betty Lou Nickels, a longtime resident of Iola, KS, passed away peacefully in the early hours of June 3, 2018 at Windsor Place Nursing Home in Iola. She was 95 years old. Betty was born to Verne and Anna Wheeler Sweet of Garnett, KS on April 14, 1923. Her childhood was spent in Garnett, where she lived with her parents and her older sister, Emma Jean. Betty was a graduate of Garnett High School. In the spring of 1942 Betty eloped with Elvon M. "Boots" Nickels. They were married on June 8 in Reno, NV. Betty and Elvon traveled extensively across the western United States prior to the start of their family. Betty and Elvon resided first in Garnett then Iola, KS, where they raised two sons, John and Donald. Elvon and Betty owned and operated a successful oil drilling company and a cattle company; they also owned farms near Colony, KS. Betty loved being outdoors, and she was particularly fond of her flower and vegetable gardens and her immaculate lawn and cedar-free pastures. Betty was also active in the Calvary United Methodist Church in Iola. Betty was preceded in death by Elvon, who died January 9, 1991 and her sister, Emma Jean Pretzer Riley, who died June 26, 2001. Betty is survived by her two sons and their families: John R. and Anna Romig Nickels (Fuquay-Varina, NC), their son Matthew B. Nickels and his partner Ryan Byrnes (Adelphi, MD), and their daughter Laura Nickels Bodek and her husband Matthew Bodek (Holly Springs, NC); Donald E. and Lorraine Nickels (Eden Prairie, MN) and their son David P. Camerino and his wife Megan Camerino. In addition, she is survived by great-grandsons Caelan and Donovan Bodek, and nephew Michael Pretzer (Washington, DC). Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, June 15, 2018 at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 1883 US Hwy 54, Iola. The family will greet friends prior to the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Betty's name at the Alzheimer Support Group at Windsor Place (600 E Garfield St, Iola, KS 66749) and Allen County Regional Hospice (826 East Madison Ave, Iola KS 66749). Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .