Janet Roberta Nichols

Janet Roberta (Hays) Nichols, 84, of Newton, died Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, at Park Centre. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 25 at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 at the funeral home. Memorials to the United Presbyterian Church may be left at the funeral home.

Janet, the daughter of Floyd Arthur and Dorothy (Salmon) Hays, was born Aug. 13, 1935, in Mingo. She grew up in Mingo and graduated from Mingo High School in 1953. Janet was united in marriage with Danny Walter Nichols Aug. 22, 1953, in Mingo. They made their home in Newton. Janet and Danny were blessed with three children, David, Larry and Ann. While the children were young, Janet was a homemaker. She also was a meticulous ironer and pressed clothes for clients by the piece. After all the kids were in school, Janet worked as a secretary for Newton Manufacturing for 22 years and later as a realtor for ERA and Better Homes and Gardens for seven years. After retiring, Janet would work in the fall for several years in the office at the Maytag Dairy Farm. For 21 years, Danny and Janet enjoyed spending all or part of their winters in South Padre Island, Texas.

Janet was a member of the United Presbyterian Church and enjoyed attending Cowboy Church. While her children were young she was a den mother for the Cub Scouts. Later she was a member of the Optimist Club, Newton Public Safety Academy, Newton Board of Realtors, Red Hat Society and the Jasper County Historical Society. Janet was a talented musician and seamstress. She played and taught piano and made many of her childrens’ clothes. She also was an excellent cook and baker and never sent Danny to work without a tasty treat. Janet and Danny enjoyed dancing as well.

Janet is survived by her husband, Danny Nichols of Newton; children, David (Melonee) Nichols of Cedar Rapids, Larry Nichols of Knoxville and Ann (Scott) Wiggins of Sunrise Beach, Texas; her grandchildren, Jill (Ryan) Bishop, Christina (Brad) Knoop, Burke Wiggins (fiance’ Cecily Koss) and Nicholas Wiggins; great-grandchildren, Nash and Noah Bishop and Reid, Conner and Lucy Knoop; her sister, Karen Kearney of Des Moines; and nephew, Kent Kearney of Des Moines. She was preceded in death by her parents.