Spc. Donald L. Nichols, 21, of Shell Rock, Iowa, died April 13, in Laghman province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, Iowa Army National Guard, Waterloo, Iowa. Donny was born the son of Jeffrey and Jeanie Kay (Secor) Nichols and Becky Sue (Miller) and Roger Poock. He attended the Waverly-Shell Rock School System, graduating in 2009. He attended basic training for the military between his junior and senior years and in the summer of 2009, Donny was shipped to A.I.T. to complete infantry training. He reported to his mobilization station at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, in August of 2010 for mobilization training. The unit arrived in Afghanistan in October of 2010, where he provided full-spectrum operations in a combat theater, including lethal and non-lethal capabilities, support to Afghan National Army and Police units and assistance to humanitarian relief initiatives. Donny was a member of the Waterloo-headquarters company 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division. Prior to his mobilization, Donny worked at Wal-Mart and Wartburg College in the summer. Donny enjoyed riding his ATV with his parents and brothers, mudding with his Jeep, shooting his 30.06, playing high school football and wrestling, art, enjoyed a good game of poker, and canoeing with Chelsey. He was an avid Minnesota Vikings fan and loved watching his favorite player, Jarred Allen. Donny will be remembered for his sense of humor, his "snarky" attitude, his love for his family, friends and his country with great pride. Donny lived his life by this quote, "It's not how hard you get knocked down, it's about how quick you get up and keep on fighting." He is survived by his father and mother, Jeff and Jeanie Nichols of Shell Rock; his mother and father, Becky and Roger Poock of Waterloo; his fiancé, Chelsey Bliss of Waverly; three brothers, Joseph Nichols of Waterloo, who is currently a combat engineer with the Army Reserves stationed in Afghanistan; Nicholas Nichols of Waterloo; Billy (Jen) Catone and family of Dubuque; & a step-brother, John (Missy) Poock & family of Waterloo; two step-sisters, Tammy (Eric) Poock & family of Waterloo and Pamela Poock of Chicago; grandmothers, Kay Secor of Evansdale, Carol Buchholz of Waterloo & grandfather, Donald L. Nichols of Waterloo; his niece, Alexis of Waterloo & several close aunts, uncles, cousins & a host of friends. Donny was preceded in death by his grandmother & grandfather Miller; grandfather Secor; & his cousin, USMC Joseph William Peterson.