Joan Nichols

Joan Ruth (Gronning) Nichols, age 80, of Grand Rapids, passed away on Monday, January 4, 2021. She was born on April 23, 1940 in Park Falls, WI, to Roy & Marjorie (Trowbridge) Gronning. She married her high school sweetheart, G. Roger Nichols on December 29, 1957, in Chetek. Together they shared 62 years of marriage until Roger's passing in 2020. Joan enjoyed Crafting, Square Dancing, camping with her sisters, tea parties and baking especially at Christmas time when she could watch her children and grandchildren decorate cookies. She was active and a member of the outreach program and contact support for the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Grand Rapids Chapter in the late 1970's and early 1980's She enjoyed being involved in community programs such as Kidney Foundation and Food Pantry. Joan struggled for many years with dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. Survivors include her children, Richard (Dona) Nichols, Kathy (Kevin) Arends, Steven (Shirley) Nichols, Tamyra (Scott) Baldwin, Christopher (Carrie) Nichols, Michael (Sarah) Nichols; 21 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, G. Roger; children, Penny A. Nichols and Thomas G. Nichols; brother, Norman Gronning; sister, Jean (Roger) Hanson. Funeral and Celebration of Life service at Christ Lutheran Church, Wyoming MI. is pending a date due to the current restrictions. A Special Thank you to The Samaritas Living Center, The Lodge and to Hospice of Michigan for their love, support and care for our mother. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joan Nichols, please visit our flower store.