Val Nichols

Valborg “Val” Marie Nichols, 85, died Dec. 11, 2014. She fought breast cancer twice, and after becoming ill with pneumonia in September, doctors discovered the cancer had returned.

She was born Sept. 12, 1929, in Milwaukee to Jens and Nellie Jensen. She graduated from Rufus King High School in Milwaukee in June 1947.

She married Frederick Lammert Sept. 25, 1948, at the First Methodist Church in Milwaukee. They had two children, Erik and Mary, and lived in Green Bay, Wis. Fred and Val moved to Langley in 1971, and Fred preceded her in death in 1975.

She met Clinton resident Glenn Nichols at Toastmasters in 1976, and they were married at Langley United Methodist Church March 20, 1977.

Val attended the Wisconsin College of Cosmetology and earned her certificate in 1972. After moving to Whidbey Island, she attended Skagit Valley College to become a licensed practical nurse. She received her certification in July 1978. She worked as a nurse at a doctor’s office in Freeland and later at the former nursing home in Freeland.

Val enjoyed many activities, including bingo, bridge, senior center trips to nearby casinos and taking cruises. She was a member of Citizens on Patrol for the Island County Sheriff’s Office 1995-2000.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn Nichols, in 2008, and by her son-in-law, Jim Harwell, in 2008.

She is survived by her son, Erik Lammert, and his wife, Judy, of Green Bay; her daughter, Mary Harwell, of Langley; a stepdaughter, Cheryl Nichols, of Agoura Hills, Calif.; granddaughter, Jennifer (Harwell) Boone, and her husband, Eric, of Oak Harbor; granddaughter, Sarah (Lammert) Olson, and her husband, Carl, of Golden Valley, Minn.; grandson, Daniel Lammert, and his wife, Sue, of Crystal, Minn.; grandson, Jimmy Harwell, and his wife, Sarah, of Gig Harbor; and great-grandchildren, Asher, Aida, Allegra, Kayson, Carter and Alexander.

A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at the South Whidbey Assembly of God, 5373 Maxwelton Road, Langley. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.