Amelia "Millie" Nicks

Amelia “Millie” Nicks, 96, of Denver, Colorado, former Lexington resident, passed away Saturday, November 8, 2014, in Denver, Colorado, following a brief illness. Millie was born February 26, 1918, in Minatare, Nebraska to Johannes and Rosina (Schmidt) Kufeldt. She graduated from Lexington High School in 1936, and married her first husband, Walter Wells in 1937. Three children, Barbara, Walter and Carolyn followed. After his death in 1955, she worked part-time and returned to college, graduating from Kearney State Teacher’s College with a degree in Special Education. She taught first in the Lexington School District, and then became the director of the Nebraska State School for Trainable Retarded Children in Cozad, Nebraska. She also earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education from the University of Nebraska. She married Harry “Howard” Nicks in 1968. Following retirement from the state school, she and Harry owned and managed a filling station south of Lexington on Highway 283, Nicks Sinclair, which she ran until 1995. They retired to Johnson Lake, where Howard died in 1997. In 2004, she moved to Denver, Colorado to share the home of her daughter, Carolyn. Following Carolyn’s retirement in 2011, the two traveled extensively, in the western Caribbean, Alaska, the Northwest and Canada, a safari in Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and a three week riverboat trip down the Volga in Russia, as well as returning to Nebraska and visiting her daughter in Texas, and grandchildren’s families in Nebraska, Iowa and Washington. Millie was known for her wisdom, kindness, and generous nature. She was happiest when she was taking care of someone, cooking for her family and friends. On her travels people naturally gravitated to her, in awe of her willingness to open herself to new experiences. She often said that when change comes, you must open your arms and embrace it. Millie is survived by her children, Barbara (Ray) Dickey, Arlington, Texas; Walter Wells, Beatrice, Nebraska; and Carolyn Wells, Denver, Colorado; four grandchildren, Steward (Karen) Dickey, Arlington, Texas; Scott (Cynthia) Dickey, Woodinville, Washington; Brett (Rondalin) Wells, Beatrice, Nebraska; and Meagan (Mike) Wallinga, Orange City, Iowa; ten great-grandchildren, Logan Dickey, Kristin Dickey, Abigail Wallinga, Allison Wallinga, Anna Wallinga, Madelynn Wells, Triston Wells, Camille Hennerberg, Calvin Hennerberg, and Reese Hennerberg; sister, Lea (Charles) Hays, Central City, Nebraska. She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Walter Wells and Howard Nicks, and siblings, George Kufeldt, Carl Kufeldt, Rosella “Rosie” Kufeldt Minch, Alexander Kufeldt, Dorothy Kufeldt, Solomon “Sam” Kufeldt, David Kufeldt, Pauline Wells, Wilhelm “Willie” Kufeldt, Lydia Kufeldt Hettinger, and Philip Kufeldt. Cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation. A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, November 21, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington with Pastor Bill Ohlmann officiating. A reception will be held at the church following the graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Millie’s life. Donations are suggested to the Denver Public Library Friends Foundation (DPLFF) Schlessman Branch, 10 W. 14th Ave. Parkway, Denver, Colorado 80204. The family would like to thank the staff of the Denver Hospice for their skilled and loving care. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is assisting the family with local arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.