Lois Lillian Rohl Nicholas
Lois was born in Morrison County, Minnesota, September 11, 1925 – December 2, 2015.
Lois Nicholas took flight to her next adventure in a world beyond our own on December 2, 2015. Born on a farm into a small, resilient and pragmatic community she thrived and learned the basic values that would serve her for the rest of her life. Dedication to community, self-reliance, service to others and a sunny outlook were the hallmarks of her approach to life. Most important was her love of nature, which was cultivated by parents who pulled her out of bed late at night to go watch the Northern lights. She still claims pride for four years of perfect attendance at the one room school she attended, despite the brutal walks through deep snow in the winter, as she recalled.
Lois was adventurous and smart. She left her home to attend Bimigi State teachers college, and then graduated from the Methodist Nursing School at Rochester, MN. She soon settled in Snoqualmie, WA to work at Nelms Memorial Hospital for 17 years and then many other private nursing jobs. During her nursing career she saw many landmarks in medicine, such as the advent of antibiotics and the Iron Lung for polio victims. She married Alfred D. Nicholas on July 29, 1960 at the Snoqualmie Methodist Church.
She is survived by two children David and Gretchen Nicholas; nieces Gwentha Lumsden, Ellen Noreen, Laurel Parks, grandchildren Natalie Kryger, Kelli Merza; great grandchildren Liam, Elliott, Silas, and Finas, Sophia and Vivian.
She was known for happily hauling her children and friends all over town, and to open her home and refrigerator to their appetites.
Lois was a member of the Snoqualmie Methodist Church in Snoqualmie for many years, and a booster of the Snoqualmie Valley Volunteer Fire Department. She loved the mountains and streams in Snoqualmie Valley, and cherished her garden and her neighborhood friends. This community, so rooted in the values she brought from Minnesota, gave her joy and fellowship for over 60 years.
Remembrances may be made to the Snoqualmie Methodist Church, 38701 SE River St., Snoqualmie, WA 98065 or the Snoqualmie Firefighters Association, 37600 SE Snoqualmie Parkway, Snoqualmie, WA 98065.
A memorial service will be held at 11 am, Saturday, December 12, 2015, at Flintoft’s Issaquah Funeral Home.
Friends and family are invited to share memories, view photos and sign the online guest book at www.flintofts.com.
