Karen Nichols

Karen J. Nichols (née Kramer) of Wickenburg, Arizona passed away peacefully with family by her side the evening of September 13, 2024, at the age of 69 years.

Karen grew up in Marshall, Michigan. She absolutely loved Marshall and returned year after year to see the annual Christmas parade. In 1973 she graduated with honors from Marshall High School and went on to attend WMU where she made the Dean's List. Karen then transferred to the School of Nursing at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She graduated in 1978 and worked at Bronson for the next 38 years as a Registered Nurse. Karen was dedicated to the care and wellbeing of her patients. She loved bedside nursing and saw it as the true definition of nursing. Before her death, her devotion to quality care and the impact she had on her patients, their families, and the nursing profession was recognized during a very special tribute by the Arizona Nurses Honor Guard.

There are so many things to tell you about Karen. She married Paul Nichols in 1986 and together they raised their son Blake in Portage. Their home was always a welcoming place filled with the sounds of family and friends ... and cow pictures. Yes, cows! Karen loved cows. She even left her imprint on them wearing her favored Scarlet Pink lipstick! Karen could not resist cats and dogs either. After she and Paul moved to Arizona in 2018, Karen volunteered at the Wickenburg Humane Society. Her heart went out to all the animals but especially to those that took the longest to get adopted.

Karen's most cherished feature was her laugh. Her laugh would gain momentum and speed until she had tears streaming down her face looking like she might burst!! And it was contagious! Karen wrapped us all into a delicious ball of laughter until we too were in its grip and couldn't stop. It was pure balm for the soul. Karen filled many roles over the span of her life, but the one that left her in a constant state of awe and wonder was that of being Blake's mom.

Karen will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 38 years, Paul; son Blake; twin sister Kathleen Heath (Alex), brother Al Kramer (Kathy), and many other family members, close friends, and nursing colleagues.

Karen was predeceased by her parents: Rheatha Tallenger and Al Kramer, Sr.

A celebration of Karen's life will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made in Karen's name to the Wickenburg Humane Society, https:\\wickenburghumane.com or (928) 684-8801 or your local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, https://www.alz.org/local_resources/find_your_local_chapter.