Clear Lake- Edith Elfreda Nichols 93, passed away Thursday March 20, 2025, at Country
Meadows Assisted Living, Mason City.
A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Monday March 31, 2025, at Ward Van Slyke Colonial
Chapel, 310 First Ave. North, Clear Lake; with Lay Minister Al Berge officiating. Burial will
take place at Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake, Iowa. Visitation will be held one hour prior to
the service at the funeral home.
Edith Elfreda was born on February 5, 1932, to Rudolph and Frieda (Jens) Hansen. She spent her
early years in Mason City before the family moved to Clear Lake when she was in third grade. A
proud graduate of Clear Lake High School, Class of 1950, Edith built a life rooted in family,
community, and cherished traditions.
On December 21, 1952, she married John C. Nichols Jr. at Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake.
Together, they raised five children and created a home filled with love and laughter. Edith and
John shared many memorable adventures, but their greatest joy was traveling to visit their
grandchildren.
After John’s passing, Edith continued to embrace new experiences—spending winters in
Arizona, embarking on cruises and bus tours, and later traveling with her companion, Al. She
and Al shared a love for dancing and could often be found enjoying Big Band concerts at the
Surf Ballroom.
A woman of routine and simple pleasures, Edith never missed her morning newspaper and a hot
cup of coffee.
Edith was a dedicated employee at Clear Lake Bank and Trust, where she worked as a teller from
1965 until her retirement in 1994. Her warm smile and friendly nature left a lasting impression
on many throughout the years.
Edith is survived by her children, Michael Nichols, Kathy (Gerald) Metzger, Debbie Walker and
Sandy Nichols; grandchildren, Courtney, Andrea, Ryan (Shauna), Colin (Lyndsey), Charles and
Wylie along with nine-Great-Grandchildren; son-in-law, Bill Phillips; brother-in-law, Donald
(Dorothy) Nichols.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Rudolph and Frieda Hansen; husband, John Nichols in
1999; daughter, Linda Nichols in 2022 and her three sisters.
Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Ave. North, Clear Lake, Iowa 50428 641-357-2193
www.colonailchapels.com
