Zoe Elliott Nichols February 20, 1920 – November 21, 2011
Zoe Elliott Nichols, 91, died in Denton, Texas of lymphoma on November 21, 2011. The second of five children of Mark and Ilah Spencer Elliott was born February 20, 1920 in Rice township, Mount Ayr, Iowa. She married Donald O. Nichols, June 30, 1940, in the farm home where she was born. Graduating in 1936 from Mount Ayr high school, she continued with a fifth year of high school while assisting principal E.G. Brockman. The following year she was employed by J.W. Hill, MD. She taught Crown Point country school for two years.
The Nicholses had three children, David, born in Leon, Iowa during WWII, and Brian and Ann, both born at Iowa Methodist Hospital. All were members of First United Methodist Church; while living in Kansas City, Kansas a few years, they were members of Stephen Memorial UMC. A church and Methodist Hospital volunteer, Nichols retired after 20 years with the Iowa Annual Conference, United Methodist Church. Earlier employment was with Corwin Cleaners, Iowa Society Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ), Des Moines school board, Iowa Council of Churches and the Christ and Windsor United Methodist churches.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Don; son, David; friend, Chuck Eoriatti; son-in-law, Dave Alton; her parents; parents-in-law, J Tom and Verda Morgan Nichols; two sisters, Doris (at two years) and Lois Cox Ives; brother, Jack Elliott and his wife, Mildred; sister-in-law, Betty Bradley and her husband, Walter, and brother-in-law, Lyndon Nichols.
She is survived by her son, Brian Nichols (Linda) of Denton, Texas; daughter, Ann Alton of Las Vegas, Nevada; brother, Loren Elliott (Alma) of Mesa, Arizona; brother-in-law, Lyle Nichols (Mildred) of Austin, Arkansas; sister-in-law, Lorraine Nichols Reasoner of Mount Ayr, Iowa; brother-in-law, Roy G. Ives (Sally) of Des Moines, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Paul Nichols, Scott Kimball, Kristine Nichols, Steve Nichols, Brian Nichols, Jr., Sarah Bowen, Stephanie Nichols and Kristin Nichols; four stepgrandchildren, Melissa, Teresa, Amy and Todd (Lissa); eight great-grandchildren, Christian, Angelica, Giselle, Cody, Amanda, Waylon, Will and Avery.
A celebration of life service was held Saturday, November 26, 2011, at the First Methodist Church in Des Moines. Burial will be at a later date at Glendale Cemetery. Arrangements were handled through Iles Funeral Homes in Des Moines.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church or Pastoral Care Services at Iowa Methodist Hospital.
