Donald L. Nicholson

Donald L. Nicholson, age 98 of Washington, Iowa, died early Wednesday morning, March 1, 2017 at The United Presbyterian Home, Washington, Iowa. Donald Louis Nicholson was born on August 25, 1918 to James Lee and Sylvia Marie (Cook) Nicholson. He was the younger of two sons who grew up on a rural Washington county farm. Family life revolved around the immediate rural community near Haskins, Iowa. There were always chores to do, but Don also recalled fun times, particularly playing baseball, softball and cards with his friends as a young adult. For the first few years of adulthood, Don continued to farm with his father and brother. When he was 24 years old, he enlisted in the Army, serving in the Africa - Italy campaign of World War II, where he was a Staff Sergeant with the 31st Ordnance Co. of the 5th Army until the war ended. During his deployment, he kept correspondence with a young lady from back home, Davida Belle Fisher. After his return, they decided to get married, which happened in the Little Brown Church at Nashua, Iowa on May 27, 1946. This past spring they celebrated their 70th anniversary. In 1948 Don and Davida had a son Dean Allen. Two years later they purchased a farm east of Trenton, followed by the birth of their daughter Patricia Lee. For nearly 30 years they farmed here and actively participated in nearby Finley Methodist Church. They raised a large garden, cattle, hogs, chickens, oats, hay, corn and soybeans, often teaming up for big tasks with Don’s older brother Arnold who lived just down the road. One of Don’s favorite Sunday afternoon leisure activities was fishing for bass and bluegill in his farm pond. Don and Davida retired to Washington, Iowa in 1988. They became active members of the United Presbyterian Church and later moved into an apartment at the United Presbyterian Home. As their family expanded into the next generations, visits, including playing games, were always a highlight. Don is survived by his wife Davida; son Dean (Dianne) of Freeport, IL and their daughters Kari Falcone (Mike) with daughter Anna and son Nicholas of Morris Plains, NJ and Jeni McCann (Mike) with daughters Allison and Elizabeth of Algonquin, IL; daughter Patricia Ryan of Iowa City, IA and her step-son Casey Ryan (Kelly) with son Michael and daughter Bailey of San Francisco, CA and step-daughter Brenna Namakajo (Semu) with daughter Misa of New York City, NY; and 7 loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Arnold and wife Edith; brother-in-law Earl Fisher and wife Florence; sister-in-law Alyce (Fisher) Holscher and husband Bill; and son-in-law Dennis Ryan. The family will receive relatives and friends at The United Presbyterian Church in Washington from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 6, 2017. The funeral will begin at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Bill Warhover officiating, followed by burial at Elm Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Hospice of Washington County or The United Presbyterian Home.

Donald L. Nicholson

August 25, 1918 - March 1, 2017