Jeanette J. Nichols, age 93, of Rochester peacefully passed away on March 4, 2025, at her home at Shorewood Commons. Jeanette was born on June 16, 1931, in Rochester, Minnesota, the youngest of 9 children (8 girls and 1 boy) to Felix and Helen Lica. Jeanette’s father died when Jeanette was only 8. After her father’s death the family briefly moved to Winona before returning to Rochester where she lived the remainder of her life.
Jeanette graduated from Lourdes High School in 1949. Her first job during high school was a ticket seller at the Chateau Theater in Downtown Rochester. She used the job to earn money for the purchase of an accordian which she taught herself to play, and continued to own until her death. After graduation from high school she worked as a bookkeeper for various businesses including the Ranch Restaurant while raising 7 children, with her husband Duane A. Lewis whom she married on February 14, 1952, at St. John’s Catholic Church. Duane died on June 28, 1992. Duane survived six years following the world’s 4th successful single lung transplant in Toronto, Canada.
Their children have many fond memories of their numerous family vacations when Duane and Jeanette would defy the laws of physics and somehow manage to shoehorn two adults, and often seven children, and everyone’s luggage into or on top of one family station wagon, and journey cross country and back mostly unscathed.
Jeanette married Glyndon (Glen) Nichols on March 14, 1996, at St. Pius X Catholic Church and remained married until his death on October 21, 2021. Jeanette and Glen were active members of the Widowed Persons Service, for which Jeanette served as Secretary for 10 years.
Jeanette enjoyed music and dancing, particularly polkas, water aerobics, and bowling. Jeanette also enjoyed baking and cooking. Many family members’ fondest memories were walking through the doorway of Jeanette’s home and being enveloped in the mouth watering aroma of Jeanette’s world class baking and cooking. However, Jeanette, most of all, found fulfillment and enjoyment in her faith, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Jeanette is survived by 4 daughters and 2 sons, Liana (Shawn) Gardner of Rochester, MN, Teresa (Mark) Fosse of Rochester, MN, Kerry (Scott) Peterson of Marana, AZ, Kim Armstrong of Rochester, MN, Jeffrey (Sue) Lewis of Rochester, MN, and Michael (Tammy) Lewis of Rochester, MN, 14 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren. Jeanette was preceded in death by her son Steven Lewis and his wife Jean of Rochester, husband Duane Lewis, husband Glen Nichols, her parents, and 8 sisters and 1 brother.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church on Monday March 10, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be at the church at 10:00 a.m. immediately prior to the mass.
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