Arlyce June Nichols left us Thursday, March 2 at the age of 87. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by family members who loved her deeply. She will be greatly missed.
Born in Sioux Falls, S.D., to Martin and Louisa Thompson, Arlyce married Robert Lee Nichols and moved with him to Perry, where she was a stay-at-home mom, participating in her children’s activities.
A founding member of the Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, Arlyce was also active in the American Legion Auxiliary.
After Robert’s passing, she worked for the state of Iowa at the nearby Woodward State Hospital in payroll and administration, where she remained for 20 years before retiring.
Arlyce also worked as a waitress at the Lake Robbins Ballroom, where she loved the music and the people and made lifelong friends.
She liked to read, and she loved watching sports — especially basketball. She enjoyed listening to music, and she was always up for a political discussion, remaining well informed and strongly opinionated all of her days.
Caring and committed, Arlyce had a knack for seeing what was needed in any situation. As an excellent hostess, the door to her clean, comfortable home always stood open to us, and she was ever ready with advice, a meal and always a freshly made bed.
Arlyce especially loved the holidays because the celebrations brought the family together.
She is preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; two sisters; her husband; and her daughter in law, Sharon.
Arlyce is survived by her son Gary and his wife, Lynette, her son Larry and his partner, Vickie, her son Terry and his partner, Cindy, and her daughter, Karen, and her husband, John. She also leaves four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
As she wished, Arlyce will be cremated and then interred next to her husband, Robert, in a private ceremony. Online condolences may be sent at www.carrisfuneralhome.com.
