Nickels, Dolores E.

Dolores E. Nickels, 90, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Milwaukee, Wis., died Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012, in Hallmar at Mercy Medical Center. Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at the St. Mark's Lutheran Church.

Surviving are her son, Jeffrey Nickels and wife Carol of Cedar Rapids; her granddaughter, Michelle Nickels of Orlando, Fla.; her siblings, Edward Reisdorf and wife Terry of Scottsdale, Ariz. and Sue Schaber and husband Bob of Glendale, Wis.; her brother-in-law, Harvey Lemke of Milwaukee, Wis.; as well as extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Penny Gray; and her sister, Joy Lemke.

Dolores Emily Nickels was born on Nov. 5, 1921 in Milwaukee, Wis., the daughter of Edward and Flora (Knaebe) Reisdorf. She was united in marriage to Orvin Nickels and he preceded her in death in 2000. In her youth, she was involved with the Florentine Opera in Milwaukee. She was a gifted artist and won many awards for her watercolor paintings. She was a member of a book club, stitchery club and a garden club. At Fox Point Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, Dolores was involved with teaching church Sunday school, choir the Altar Guild, hand bells, and yearly Christmas programs. Following her move to Cedar Rapids to be closer to family, she became a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church. She met many wonderful friends through her membership at St. Mark's. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend who will be greatly missed.

Memorial contributions in Dolores' honor may be directed to St. Mark's Lutheran Church.

Please leave a message, tribute or memory to Dolores' family on the website under Obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Oct. 24, 2012.