David W. Nichols, age 72 of Winfield, IA, died on July 24, 2023, peacefully at home with his wife, Marilyn by his side.
David was born on July 23, 1951 in Burlington, IA, the son of Grant Sanford Nichols and Opal Pauline Nichols (Baird). David was the valedictorian of the class of 1969 from Morning Sun High School. He then graduated from University of Iowa in 1973 with a degree in Accounting. He married Marilyn Rae Brenneman on October 17, 1980 in Burlington, Iowa. He loved her so but also and first loved that bright-eyed little Sarah Kristine, hiding behind her mom’s door. They then welcomed Faith Danielle and Joshua Grant. David worked as an accountant and later went on to work with Marilyn for independent retirement communities across the Midwest. He was a whiz with numbers and an asset to many in his work but he would choose his family over his work time and time again.
Survivors include his best friend & wife, Marilyn, two daughters: Sarah Noelke of Charlotte, NC and Faith (Nichols) Leonard (Dave) of Phoenix, Ariz.; one son, Joshua Nichols (Jan Melsh Nichols) of North Liberty, IA, two grandchildren: Grant Michael Leonard & Breckin Rae Nichols, two brothers, Albert Nichols and Ronald Nichols; and one sister, Mary McDonald. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, and two sisters.
A man of 72 years and 1 day, he was our gentle giant with the kindest heart and he always came home with a story. His love and his presence were larger than life. He possessed a twinkle in his eye & wisdom in his words…he was a storyteller, a numbers guy, loved cars and would fight unrelentingly for the things that mattered to him. He never quit on us and taught us how to work hard and love hard. He loved to serve our family with his sweet gestures and surprises and others with random acts of kindness that he never expected anything back for and that we will continue to share in his memory. He was the very best husband and loved our mom, his best friend, so very much. He was the best Papa & Bucka and was so proud of his kids and his grandchildren. Through it all he was a bully to the bullies, an unsung hero to many, and so unbelievably kind to the people he loved. He fiercely loved his wife, children, and his Bruiser & Breckin. We understand as much as we can that the last year has been the hardest and we’ve watched him handle it with courage, strength, his faith, and a love for our mom that puts any fairytale to shame. “I love you,my darling” is something we’ve heard thousands of times and that love is something that won’t be forgotten.
In the end, it was his true character, refrigerator-lifting, boyfriend-scaring strength, undeniable stubbornness and unconditional love for his family that impacted those in his wake the most and will leave us all with countless stories that we will share with love in our hearts and tears in our eyes. We will all miss him more than we can express in words but he was ready to go and while we wished for an adventure or two more with him, “his house, his rules” and it was time for him to roll. We love you, dad, Papa, Bucka, Poppie and my darling David and we will see you when we see you.
There will be an Open House at the Nichols home at 105 North Olive in Winfield on Saturday, July 29th. Feel free to stop by the house anytime from 12:00-6:00 pm. We would love to just celebrate David and surround Marilyn with love as that was David’s final wish. Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.