Mary LuAnn Nichols

Mary LuAnn Nichols, 67 of Melcher passed away Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at her home. A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Melcher-Dallas, Iowa. Burial will be held at a later date at Waveland Cemetery, Prairie City. Memorials made be made in care of LuAnn’s family.

Mary LuAnn Hartshorn Nichols was born on December 14, 1953, to Harold and Virginia Harvey Hartshorn in Oskaloosa. She grew up in Knoxville and graduated with the class of 1972. She enjoyed cheerleading, and band while in school. After graduation she met Lee Nichols and they married shortly after. To this union they were blessed with sons, Matt, and Andy. She loved raising her family, and once the boys were in school, she started at Grandview College working towards her Bachelor of Science in Nursing which she received from Mercy College of Health Science. The couple later divorced. She met Mike Guffey in 1994 and they spent the following years enjoying live bands and attending Blues Festivals.

She never missed a game to cheer her boys on. She enjoyed taking care of her boys and all the neighborhood kids. Going to Williamson for burgers. She played piano for many years and was a youth group leader at Olive Chapel United Methodist Church where she was also member. There was no such thing as a stranger to her especially when it came to dogs and horses.

LuAnn loved the nursing field. She began her career at Knoxville Hospital as an OB nurse where she helped deliver over 1500 babies. She was then offered a Director of Nursing position at Baxter Specialty Care. She also was a Director of Nursing at Prairie City and Pleasantville Care Centers.

LuAnn will be deeply missed by her sons: Matt and Andy Nichols; grandchildren: Jace and Presley; life partner Mike Guffey; and sister Connie Storm; her dog Emma.

She is preceded by her parents and her sister Beverly Anderson.