Steven Wayne Nichols, 67, passed away at his home after a long battle with cancer, on Sunday, July 2, 2023. He was born Aug. 10, 1955, in Moorhead to Gertrude Ann (Mentzer) and Russell Wayne Nichols. He lived in Dunlap in his youth and graduated from Dunlap Community High School in 1974. After graduation, Steve enlisted in the US Marine Corp at Camp Pendleton in California and served in Hawaii at the Marine Corp Base. On Sept. 30, 1977, Steve was married to Karen Ann Torbensen in Moorhead. In March of 1978, they welcomed their son, Austin Wayne. He worked several years at IBP in Denison. They were later divorced but remained good friends. Steve then attended electronic school in St. Paul, Minn. and afterwards moved to Denver, Colo. where he worked at Stapleton International Airport servicing aircraft. He then moved to Telluride, Colo. where he worked for the lift and maintenance crew at Telluride Ski Resort for 23 ½ years. While Steve was living in Norwood, Colo. he was very active in team roping with good friends and won three trophy saddles. Steve retired from the ski resort and moved to St. George, Utah where he pursued helicopter training and drove truck. He moved back to Dunlap in the spring of 2019, and worked at Bonsall TV & Appliance.
Steve’s hobbies included motorcycles, golf and fishing. He also enjoyed helping family and friends when they needed help.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Patricia Ann. He is survived by his son, Austin (Leilani) Nichols of Mesa, Ariz.; grandchildren, Anthony Michael Pacheco and Maliyah Rose Nichols; siblings, Russell Alan Nichols of Dunlap, Kevin Eugene Nichols of Dunlap, Lori Ann (Robert) Brummer of Denison and Karen Kay (Delbert) Schmidt of Denison; along with many other relatives and friends.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at United Methodist Church in Dunlap. Pastor Aaron Terwilleger presided over the service. The recorded musical selections were “How Great Thou Art” and “The Old Rugged Cross” by Alan Jackson and “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw. The honorary pallbearers were Alan Nichols, Kevin Nichols, Phil Nichols and Andrea Vonnahme. The pallbearers were Nick Anderson, Justin Blair, Dick Bonsall, Roy Gray, Denny Kepford and Kenny Mumm. Military Rites were performed by the Dunlap American Legion Post #224 and the Marine Corps Honor Guard. Steve’s final resting place is at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Fouts Funeral Home in Dunlap was in charge of arrangements. www.foutsfuneralhome.com
