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NICHELSON -- "Jo" Juanita Jo Ann Nichelson, 80, entered into eternal peace on Monday, October 4, 2010 after a sudden and unexpected illness. She is survived by her husband, Allen; sons, Kipp and wife Lucia, Lonny, Patrick and wife Sandy; grandchildren, Ciara and husband Cody, Kaila, Shannon, Leah, Lindsey, and Dominic; sisters and brothers, Norma June Peterson, Donn Williams, Roma Timmons, Gayle Williams, Wanda Wear, and Sylvia Andersen. She was preceded in death by her mother, Audrey Elda Williams in 1938; father, Ralph Elliot Williams in 1949; son, Kirk in 2007 and brother Arden Williams in 2008. Jo was born June 11, 1930, north of Smith Center, KS where she lived her childhood on the farm with her seven siblings. She attended grade school in a small country school in Smith County, graduated from high school in Smith Center in 1948 where she was part of their award winning tumbling team. She later attended college for a short time. As a child, Jo worshiped the Lord at Pleasant Hill Free Methodist Church and, she and her sisters sang for many funerals. Her first job was a telephone operator in Womer, KS. Some of her other interesting jobs were working at a potato processing plant in Idaho, assembling electronic registers in North Platte, NE and working at Little America in Cheyenne, WY. She also carried an insurance sales license and operated a roofing company for several years and was a nursing assistant in hospice care in New Mexico. Jo met her husband, Allen in North Platte, NE and they were married in Laramie, WY on April 10, 1967. Jo and Allen raised their sons, Kirk, Kipp, Lonny, and Patrick with her loving care. Jo was a kind, loving wife, mother, sister, and granny and was loved by her four boys. Throughout her life, Jo and Allen "adopted" many people as their "children" and "grandchildren" and many loved her as mom and granny and she loved them as her own. Often, people would meet Jo only one time and a life-long bond was made. She had a deep love for her family and friends, and was passionate about working on her family's genealogy. She loved to collect antiques and roosters, loved to listen to old gospel music, was very active at Grace Outreach Center. Jo taught Sunday school for many years, enjoyed studying her bible, and was devoted to praying for anyone in need or who was sick, enjoyed singing in the choir and also singing to her grandchildren. Jo loved to giggle and her laugh was intoxicating to hear. She also loved to play Yahtzee and was a former bowling champion. She had her own "Hallmark" store of cards in a box at home and she always remembered to send her family and friends a card for their special occasions. Jo was fastidious about keeping her house clean. In fact, sometimes when she traveled, she would still make her own bed at a hotel. She was instrumental in starting the James 5 ministry and she volunteered at the Albuquerque Rescue Mission where she was the first woman to serve on their board of directors. She was so generous and giving and her concern for the well-being of others was so strong; she would sometimes fret over things too much. Jo had two fears - storms and flying in an airplane. In spite of this, she traveled through 47 of the 48 continental United States. She was a hard worker, and if the sun was up she was busy at work. When she reached 65, Jo "retired from cooking" and allowed the restaurants of the area to be her chefs. Jo celebrated her 80th birthday with friends and loved ones June 11, 2010. Visitation will be held, 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, October 10, 2010 at Daniels Family Funeral Services, Sara Road Chapel, 4310 Sara Road and Meadowlark Lane SE (inside Vista Verde Memorial Park), Rio Rancho, NM. A Celebration of Jo's life will be held, 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 11, 2010, at Grace Outreach Center, 2900 Southern Boulevard SE, Rio Rancho, NM. On Thursday, October 14, 2010, there will be a visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at All Faiths Funeral Chapel at 113 So. Madison Street in Smith Center, KS. A Graveside service will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Smith Center, KS. The family suggests that those who wish to make a memorial donation in Jo's memory may do so through the Albuquerque Rescue Mission, 525 SW 2nd Street, Albuquerque, NM 87102, 505-346-4673, abqrescue.org. Those who wish to express condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com. Arrangements are entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 4310 Sara Road SE Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87124 505-892-9920
        Published on: Sun October 10, 2010