Kathy Nichols

Kathy Nichols, 72, of O'Neill died Saturday, August 3, 2024 at the Independence Houses in Lincoln. 

A Funeral Mass for Kathy Nichols will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 8, 2024 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill with Fr. Bernard Starman officiating.  

Burial will be in the O'Neill Cemetery. 

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a 7 p.m. Catholic Daughter Rosary.  

Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation.  

Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill is in charge of the arrangements.

Katherine Anne Strong was born on April 12, 1952 to Frederick and Margaret (Chaulk) Strong in Chadron, Nebraska.  She attended Assumption Academy in Chadron, graduating in 1970.  Kathy furthered her education at Chadron State College majoring in Education and graduating with her Bachelor's degree in 1973. She then moved to McCook, Nebraska and started teaching while working on her Master's degree in education through Kearney State, graduating in 1983. She met Steve Nichols at a birthday party and the couple later married on August 6, 1983 in McCook, Nebraska.  To this union four children were born, Kareena, Kayla, Trevor, and Karissa.

Kathy and Steve moved out to Scottsbluff, Nebraska before moving to O'Neill in December of 1987, where she began teaching at several country schools and eventually at West Holt High School as a Special Education teacher for over 18 years.  She retired, yet continued to fill in as a substitute teacher for St. Mary's Schools and O'Neill Public Schools.  As her mind gradually began to fail her, Kathy made the decision to fully retire.  Instead, she focused her time on family, friends, and hobbies.

Kathy was an avid member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church where she was a Catholic Daughter and attended many religious classes.  Kathy was also active with AYSO soccer and was a leader for the Girl Scouts.

Kathy enjoyed sewing, gardening, baking, and traveling with friends and family.  She spent her free time bowling, golfing, and completing crossword, word search, and sudoku puzzles. Most of all, she loved to spend time with her grandchildren, who were her greatest joy.

Kathy is survived by her husband Steve Nichols of O'Neill; children, Kareena Boko of Lincoln, Kayla Nichols of Lincoln, Trevor Nichols of Lincoln, Karissa Nichols of Omaha; two grandchildren, Jaidah and Eden Boko; sister Jenny Gregory of Chadron; many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; four siblings, Amy Franklin, Ruth Jackson, Carol Groves, Bill Strong.