Lenora Josephine Van Rees was born on February 19, 1927, west of Sully, Iowa. She was the first of five children who were born to Lawrence and Wilma Lanser Van Rees. Lenora began her elementary education at the Perkins Country Grade School and, after her graduation from the Sully Christian Grade School, she continued to help on the family farm. On February 11, 1947, she was united in marriage with Bernie M. Nikkel, the fifth of ten children born to Marcelis and Anne Baarda Nikkel. Lenora and Bernie began raising their family on a farm northeast of Monroe, Iowa, and in 1954, moved to a farm southeast of Sully. To this Godly union, eleven children were born: Bernie Wayne, Timothy Lee, Marianne, Lynnette Sue, Cynthia Kay, Daniel Dean, Sharon Elaine, Krista Lynn, Martin Lawrence and Nora Jean. Their faith in God, dedication and hard work proved to be the forces that supported and maintained their family. In 1993, they retired from the farm, but not from working. They moved into Pella, Iowa, where Bernie assumed maintenance duties at Hilltop Manor, while Lenora continued working as a certified nurses' aide. She was a self-motivated person and was fulfilled through attaining this certification. She enjoyed helping people in this capacity at Skiff Memorial Hospital in Newton, Iowa, and the Pella Community Hospital for over 25 years until she retired. Following Bernie's heart attack, she cared for him until he went home to heaven on December 14, 2005, at the age of 81 years. Lenora missed Bernie dearly, but drew comfort from her beloved children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Early on Tuesday morning, May 19, 2009, she joined Bernie in heaven, leaving this earth peacefully in her home at the age of 82 years and 3 months. Those who will cherish her memory are her many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They and their families are: B.Wayne and Kimberly Nikkel of Ankeny, IA; Tim and Evelyn Nikkel of Pella, IA; Marianne and Marion Vink of Pella, IA; Lynnette and Gary Christensen of Sully, IA; Cynthia and Loren Bogaards of Pella, IA; Dan and Joan Nikkel of Oskaloosa, IA; Sharon and Brett Musgrove of Pella, IA; Krista and Randy Stromley of Urbandale, IA; Marty Nikkel of Pella, IA; Nora and Wayne Ritter of Sully, IA. Of her original family she leaves the following sisters and brother and their spouses: Henrietta and Wilford Laverman of Sully; twins, Joann (Ben) Verhey of Pella and Joyce Brand and her husband, Charles of Newton; and Dave and Bonnie Van Rees of Lynnville, Iowa. Of her late husband Bernie's family, the following sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law are surviving: Cornelia (Henry) Vander Weerdt and Elizabeth (John) Vander Weerdt of Pella; Marcella and Lester Laverman of Sully; Linda and Maurice Rozendaal of Lynnville; Lester and Marilyn Nikkel and Wilda (John H.) Nikkel of Sully. Lenora was preceded in death by her husband, Bernie M. Nikkel; a stillborn child; two grandsons: Thomas J. Christensen and Cody L. Nikkel; her parents, Lawrence and Wilma Van Rees; her parents-in-law: Marcelis and Anne Nikkel; her brother-in-law, Ben Verhey; and the following brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Henry and John Vander Weerdt; John H. Nikkel; James M. and Sadie Nikkel; Pauline and Clarence Laverman; and Matilda and Arthur Van Maanen. Lenora had been a faithful, long-time member of the Sully Christian Reformed Church and, at the present time, was a member of the Faith Christian Reformed Church in Pella. Lenora leaves the gift of many joyous memories as an effervescent, creative, faithful Christian mother, grandmother of 39 grandchildren and great-grandmother of 29 great-grandchildren. Her faith in the Lord, her joy in life and her unwavering dedication to family will be forever remembered.


The family has designated Bethany Christian Services for memorial contributions .

Van Dyk - Duven Funeral Home