Mary Lee Nichols

Mary Lee Nichols, 81, of North Platte, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, at Great Plains Health.

Mary Lee was born in Norfolk on March 10, 1938, to Leo and Florence Prauner. She graduated from Battle Creek High School in 1956 then attended Norfolk Junior College, graduating in 1958. After her schooling she went to work in Norfolk.

On June 19, 1960, Mary Lee was united in marriage to Jack Nichols at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Battle Creek. The couple lived in Norfolk where Mary Lee stayed home with the kids. The family moved to Chadron in 1970 then to Morrill in ’87 with Jack’s job on the railroad. They moved again in ’91 to North Platte where they have lived ever since.

Mary Lee was active in her church, Our Redeemer Lutheran, and the North Platte community where she helped with Meals on Wheels and Compassionate Friends. Mary Lee and Jack could often be seen at the Senior Center on Wednesday evenings for the dances, Jack liked to dance and she liked to watch.

Mary Lee loved gardening, nature watching, feeding the birds and dogs. She was a fan of Nebraska sports and enjoyed watching sports on television. She also liked going to garage sales and thrift stores. Mary Lee was a great wife and mother who loved her family, especially her grandchildren.

She leaves behind her husband, Jack, and daughter, Kimberly Nichols, of North Platte; son, Jeff (Sarah) Nichols, of Fredricksburg, Texas; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Kevin) Clink, Robert J.M. Gardner and Adeline Gardner; sisters, Lola (Tom) Brockman, of Norfolk and Joyce Evener, of Bellevue; as well as other family.

Mary Lee was preceded in death by her son, Merritt; brother-in-law, Nile Evener; and her parents, Leo and Florence Prauner.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with Pastor Daniel Ramsey officiating. Burial will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the Orphan Grain Train or Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.