Adelaide A. Nichols

Adelaide Ann Nichols (Addie, Grandma Cutie, Mom, Sweetie Pie) passed away peacefully on December 29, 2018 at Eagle Crest South memory care facility in La Crosse, WI. She was born December 13, 1938 to her ever-loving parents Ambrose and Catherine (Brislin) Rascher, whom she absolutely cherished and adored. Her formative years were spent in Cedar Lake, Indiana until she left to attend college at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, where she graduated with a degree in Speech Pathology. She was married to Dr. Charles Nichols (Pat) a short time later. Together they had five of the most strong-willed, independent children imaginable. They challenged their mother's faith from time to time but she never wavered and they all turned out just fine.

Adelaide Nichols was fiercely devoted to her Catholic faith and had an incredibly deep and meaningful relationship with God. Her steadfast relationship with God was a safe haven for her that always gave her great peace in times of turbulence as well as joy in the happy moments.

Through her faith and as a byproduct of her upbringing, she was the most devoted of mothers and grandmothers. While small in stature, her inner strength made her a giant, that little lady was our rock that kept us grounded, and our compass when we needed direction. We will be forever grateful that God saw fit to give us this kind, sweet, stubborn, and gentle soul to set our foundation in life, it was truly our honor to call her Mom and Grandma.

Outside of her faith and family helping the mentally disabled at Riverfront as well as Chileda with her speech pathology education became a renewed passion from her early post college days. She took great pride in her abilities to establish a meaningful relationship with her students and enhancing their ability to communicate effectively. She always said that those students were some of her best friends.

Adelaide was preceded in death by her parents Ambrose and Catherine Rascher, her sister Catherine Fagen (Mike) and her former husband Dr. Charles Nichols. She is survived by her five children; Brian Nichols (Tammy, former and much loved daughter-in-law), Patrick Nichols (Jane), Beth Olson (John), Chris Nichols (Traci), Greg Nichols (Dorrie). She is also survived by her grandchildren: Justin Nichols, Dalton Nichols, Jacob Nichols, Payton Nichols, Paige Nichols, and PJ Nichols.

A Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10AM on Friday, January 11, 2019 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, LaCrosse, WI. Rev. Rick Roberts will officiate. Burial will follow in Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call on the family Friday morning at the church from 9AM until the time of Mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you donate to the following:

Payable to:

Bethany Lutheran Homes, Inc.

PO Box 2468

LaCrosse, WI 54602-2468

Please state this gift is in memory of Adelaide A. Nichols. To be used for Eagle Crest South Memory Care 1 staff for either the “Tuition Incentive Program Fund” or “Employee Appreciation Fund.”