Katharina E. Nichols, 96, passed away Friday, December 22, 2017, at the Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center in Brush. She was born January 10, 1921, in Garmish Partenkirchen, Germany to Joseph & Katharina Grasegger.

Katharina met her future husband, Floyd Nichols while he was serving in the US Army in Germany. After his honorable discharge, Floyd returned home to Phillipsburg Kansas. Katharina followed when her paperwork was approved and they were married on April 30, 1947, in Norton, KS.

The Nichols family purchased their first farm near Keenesburg, CO, where they started a dairy and farmed. They later expanded their operation and moved to Wiggins, CO. At one point Floyd and Katharina decided to try a different occupation and moved to McCoy, Colorado where they ran a small lodge, general store and gas station.   Next they moved to Eagle, Colorado and ran a truck stop. But their love of life on the farm drew them back to their farm in Wiggins. Later they relocated their farm and dairy operation to LaSalle, CO. In 1977 they closed their dairy operation and moved to their current farm north of Brush. Katharina loved living and working with her family on their farm.

Katharina had an inquisitive mind and enjoyed learning. This trait was obvious to many in her later years because she loved listening to books on tape and especially those about history and biographies. But this love for learning showed in her relationships throughout her life. She always enjoyed meeting new people and was able to make good friends wherever she was. She became friends with her neighbors, fellow Germans who later introduced her to the Edelweis club, and the Mormon missionaries. Her inquisitive and friendly nature led to her joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Even in her last stay at Eben Ezer, she showed great interest in her caregivers and neighbors and appreciated the loving care they gave her. Her favorite times were those in which she was spending time with family; whether it was working, playing board games or keeping in touch with her family in Germany.

Survivors include her 4 children, Shirley Penn, Carol Thornton and husband Zack Thornton, Bill Nichols and his wife Peri and Dean Nichols and wife Rachel all of Brush; 17 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd, 2 brothers, 2 sisters, and her parents.

Funeral services will be Friday, December 29, 2017, at 10:30 AM at the Fort Morgan Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 308 Cherry Street. Concluding services and interment will be at the Sunset Memorial Gardens in Greeley at 2:30 PM. The Heer Mortuary is entrusted with the funeral arrangements.