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JOYCE NICKLAS Obituary
Joyce graduated from DeKalb High School in 1974 and went on to earn her nursing degree from Kishwaukee College. Joyce later received her bachelor's degree in nursing from Cardinal Stritch University and a master's degree in business administration from Cardinal Stritch University. Her nursing career spanned three decades. At the time of her death she had attained the honor of Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives and was serving as the vice-president for Regional Development and Trauma Services and chief quality officer at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, a responsibility which made her especially proud.
Survivors include her loving husband, Bill; their three children Tom (Tara) Steffa of Mesa, Ariz., Trent (Becky) Steffa of Littleton, Colo., and Kimberly Steffa of Naperville; three grandchildren, Tanner, Teagan and Madison; her siblings, Jeff (Pam) Struthers of Kiowa, Colo., Tammy Struthers of Plano, Texas, and Tim (Marilee) Struthers of DeKalb; her brother-in-law, Bob (Terri) Nicklas of Takoma Park, Md.; her father, Delos "Moose" (Pat) Struthers of Bella Vista, Ark.; and several nieces and nephews.
Joyce was preceded in death by her mother, Corinne Struthers; her grandparents; and two uncles.
Funeral service will be celebrated in St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 206 Somonauk St., Sycamore with the Rev. David Hedges presiding on Wednesday, July 29 at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 28, at Quiram-Sycamore Funeral Chapel, 1245 Somonauk St., Sycamore, from 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to OSF Hospice, Rockford, 815-921-8700.
Arrangements by Quiram-Sycamore Funeral Chapel, 815-895-6589 or www.olsonfh.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for JOYCE NICKLAS
Luci Moravcik
August 19, 2009
Dear Kim and Family,
I'm so sad about your Mothers passing.
Kim, after reading all the guest entries, I can see who you got your energy from.(miss you) Her beauty shines thru you. You're in my prayers and thoughts. Love you.
Keep on, keepin on.......
Vickie Laurson
August 11, 2009
Tom, Trent, Kim,
I was sorry to hear about your mom's passing. You are all in my prayers.
(McKenzie's mom)
John Lewis
August 5, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Lois Haupt
July 31, 2009
Dear Moose and family,
Sorry I wasn't able to attend the service to celebrate Joyce's life but please know that you all were and are a dear, special family that I love. The adventures of the STRUTHERS FAMILY would have made the best seller list of all times had it been written with Joyce being one of the leading characters; Moose being the leader. My most sincere and heartfelt sympathies to you all in the loss of Joyce. Love Lois
Steve Sherrill
July 31, 2009
Bill, I am deeply sorry for your loss.
Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Steve
Alice & Edward Paulson
July 31, 2009
Please accept our condolences on the loss of your loved one. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Katie Davis
July 31, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Tara Griffin
July 30, 2009
Bill, please know my thoughts and prayers are with you. Thank you for always sharing such beautiful stories of Joyce.
Randy Nicholson
July 30, 2009
Dear Moose and family. We were so sad when we heard of your daughter's passing. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Randy and Caroline Nicholson
Bill Nolan
July 30, 2009
Bill- So sorry to hear of your loss, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sr. Rose Therese Mann
July 30, 2009
Dear Bill, Tom, Trent and Kimberly,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Joyce was an amazing woman and I was proud to know her.
I was out of town and just found heard about her passing away when I got back last night. I wish I could have been there for the funeral.
Love and prayers,
Sister Rose Therese
Val Pieroni
July 30, 2009
Bill, I was so sorry to hear Joyce passed, I just wish there was something I could say to relieve your pain. God Bless you all.
July 29, 2009
So sorry to hear of Joyces passing. I only worked with her for a few months before my family and I moved to Arizona. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rita and Muzzy Massier
July 29, 2009
Bill and all of Joyce's family---We know how you are hurting now but please know that we care and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Rita and Muzzy
Karen Jerde
July 29, 2009
Bill and family of Joyce, Paul and I are so sorry to learn of your loss. You are in our thougts. Sincerely, Paul and Karen Jerde, San Antonio Texas
Veralee & Alan Berg
July 29, 2009
Bill, so sorry to hear of your loss.
Jon and Margaret Delano
July 29, 2009
Bill,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Nancy Higdon
July 29, 2009
I was so sorry to hear of Joyce's passing. Although I had never met her in person, I heard from many what a loving and lovely person she was.
I will pray for you and your family Bill. The love and prayers of so many friends and family will be with you during this difficult time.
May the love of God be a comfort to you and all your family and friends in your grief.
July 29, 2009
Bill & Family,
Please accept our condolences for your loss. You will be in our thoughts and prayers!
The Board and Staff of the DeKalb County Community Foundation
Ivan Krpan
July 29, 2009
Bill and all of Joyce's family and friends. Please accept my condolences with the passing of Joyce. Bill, I remember how you both were so happy the day you married. I know how special Joyce was to you Bill and cannot even imagine the pain you must be going through. I pray that God is with you to give you the strength you will need as you move forward cherishing the time you did have together.
Jim Walles
July 29, 2009
My Condolences to You And To Your Family and Friends. I Am Sorry For Your Loss.
July 28, 2009
Bill and family,
I hope these words will find a place in the days ahead.
Watches are wound one turn at a time, when they stop moving we feel so blind. We measure our lives by years, months, and days. The hours, minutes, and seconds are where we should graze. Our yesterdays will help fill the rainy days, what could have been is not what we should chase. We owe to ourselves and loved ones we miss, to continue on with the things on our list. And with each thing we achieve we are never alone, this we must believe.
Kevin, Karen, Courtney, Trace, and Cole Cady
July 28, 2009
John and I send our deepest condolences over your loss. Though I never knew Joyce, I do remember her from high school. She always had a bright smile. You all will be in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
~Diane and John Meier
July 28, 2009
Bill and Family,
I hope memories will comfort you during this difficult time. I was Joyce's second grade teacher at Littlejohn School I believe! Love, Ellen Engstrom
Doc & Jane Royalty
July 28, 2009
Bill and family, Please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss.
July 28, 2009
Bill and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of grief. Joyce was proud, elegant and beautiful person inside and out. I'm sad to know that your house will not be the same without her.
Bo Biesiadecki,
Mary Namovice
July 28, 2009
All of us who have worked with her at RHP and I, who have known her since she was in ER at Sweds, will miss her presence in this life very much! We have kept in touch all these years and helped each other wherever and whenever!
I am having a hard time realizing that she is gone!
Jeannine Zuba
July 28, 2009
I, too, worked with Joyce on many committees and initiatives. She was a strong, powerful, beautiful, intelligent woman. I hope she knew the impact she made on so many lives. She was a mentor to me making her presence known. She will be greatly missed.
July 28, 2009
Dear Bill, Kimmy, Tom and Trent,
We are so sorry; we are praying for you all and sending our love. God bless you.
Dennis and Coni
Maureen Loughlin
July 28, 2009
Dear Bill & family,
We are so sorry for your loss. I knew Joyce in grade school and high school, she was a star athlete and a beautiful, loving, caring person. We will miss her and long to see her smile and hear her laughter. She was an amazing person with a positive energy that inspired those around her.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We miss you Joyce.
Maureen Loughlin & Brian Schaeffer & family
Ebe and Melissa Smith
July 28, 2009
Bill,
We are sadden by the news of Joyce's passing. May the memories that you shared help you through this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ebe and Melissa
July 28, 2009
Bill and Family,
My sincere sympathies are with you at this difficult time.
Kathy Ireton, Sycamore, Illinois
Dennis Namovice
July 28, 2009
I had the privilege of working with Joyce at Rockford Health Plans and Saint Anthony Medical Center. She will be greatly missed.
Eric & Michelle Walker
July 28, 2009
We are truly sorry for your loss.
Bill and Beverly Lovett
July 28, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Gary & Mary Jo McAdams
July 28, 2009
Bill and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. She will be missed.
Laurie Gibbs
July 28, 2009
Bill and Family,
My deepest sympathies to everyone. Your wife (mother) was an amazing woman. There were times I would be cleaning your home and Joyce was running late and just the presence of her was amazing. She was a very beautiful person. She will be deeply missed. My prayers are with you and God Bless.
Cathy (Berg) Baldin
July 28, 2009
My sincerest sympathy. It was good (and difficult, at the same time) to see Joyce at our 35th class reunion on July 11; she never missed a reunion; she was proud of that! She will be missed by many.
Karen Harbert
July 27, 2009
Dear Bill and Family,
Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your wife, Joyce. I am so sorry for your loss. I hope that you are doing okay. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this very difficult time. May God bless you always.
Lisa Miller
July 27, 2009
Bill and family, I'm so very sorry for your loss. Please know that many prayers are being said for all of you.
God Bless,
Lisa Miller
July 27, 2009
Moose....
So sorry to hear of the death of your daughter....my thoughts and prayers are with you...
GOD BLESS...
Roger Mobeck, Lake Geneva, Wi
Debie Miller-Mewhirter
July 27, 2009
I am so very, very sorry to hear about Joyce. I went to high school with her and remember her as someone with a beautiful smile and a great sense of humor. After reading about her, it is so apparent how she touched so many people throughout her life. What an incredible woman.
Robert Sawicki
July 27, 2009
It was my privilege to have worked with Joyce on several initiatives with OSF. It is a deep loss we all share. My prayers go out to all her loved ones and all those touched by her life, especially those with whom she worked.
Linda Kerr
July 27, 2009
I am so sorry to hear of your loss, Bill.
July 27, 2009
Bill and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of Joyce's passing. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Kay Thompson & Sue Weinstock
Bob Larsen
July 27, 2009
To all of Joyce's family, and with special thoughts for Moose, I'm very sad to learn of this lovely young woman's passing. Children are not supposed to leave before their parents do, but it happens as it has here. My thoughts and prayers are with all members of her family and friends during these trying times.
LINDA CHRISTENSEN
July 27, 2009
My thoughts are truely with Joyce's family. i went to high school with joyce and i cherish many fond memories of a ski club trip to colorado so long ago. Her amazing energy and enthusiasm will continue to shine.
Linda Kerr
July 27, 2009
I am so sorry to hear this, Bill.
July 27, 2009
Bill & Family,
May you be comforted by the memories you shared with such a special lady. We are truly sorry and send you our heartfelt condolences.
Christina and Steve Bowers
July 27, 2009
our hearts and prayers go out to the Family of Joyce who mooose and corrine were our neigbors for a many years.Bill i also knew for many years. god bless all the Family and we will keep you in our prayers JIM@ DONNA Bourdages.
July 27, 2009
Bill, Our sincerest condolences to you and your family. Our prayers will continue for you even as we prayed for Joyce. God bless you and keep you, Pastor Dan Stovall and Sycamore Baptist Church
Sherri Benes-Teale
July 27, 2009
To all of Joyce's family:
My thoughts and prayers are with each of you (husband, father, sons and daughter) as you mourn Joyce's passing.
I was privileged and happy to see Joyce at our class reunion on July 11th. Such a beautiful, vibrant, accomplished woman who touched so many lives... she will be missed.
Joe & Michelle Cusumano
July 27, 2009
Bill and Family,
Sorry for your loss. You are all in our prayers.
Linda Anderson
July 27, 2009
So sorry, Bill, for your loss. May your treasured memories sustain you.
God's grace and peace be with you in your grieving and healing.
July 27, 2009
OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY.
SINCERELY,
DAVE AND MAE MOORE
Emily Wilmarth-Keeton
July 27, 2009
My condolences to Joyce's family. I only new her a short time but in that time she was always smiling and pleasant to talk to. A real fighter. She was a blessing to work with at OSF as well as taking care of her at the Cancer Center. You will all be in my prayers.
Mike & Cheryl Marth
July 27, 2009
We are so sorry for your loss.
Chris & LouAnn Millard
July 27, 2009
Bill, Tom, Trent, Kim and families,
Our hearts go out to all of you in this time of loss. Boys we can still see the pride she took in you in all you did but especially as you took the mat. And Kim, who could ever forget how she fussed over you when you were a crown bearer for prom and as you attended. Oh what beautiful memories.... We had the honor of running into her at a resturant last fall and it was like ol home week with hugs and catching up on all of you. God will bless you all and take care of you......just remember to lean on him. He has the answers we just need to have patience and listen.
May God wrap you in his ever loving arms and give you strength. Remembering Always,
Chris & LouAnn Millard
July 27, 2009
Bill & Family
We are so sorry for your loss. You will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.
Jerre & Robin Yeager
Meg Swanson
July 27, 2009
To Bill and all of Joyce's family and loved ones,
She has been an amazing member of our OSF family and our history. She was a mentor to many, and her knowledge and passion for her work and her persistent drive to lead others on the way to get it right never ceased to amaze me. She will be greatly missed here. She has left behind a tremendous legacy for you to be proud of. Thank you so much for sharing her with all of us.
Please know that you are all in our prayers.
Julie Lawrence
July 27, 2009
I am so sorry to hear that Joyce has passed. May you find peace in this difficult time.
Julie Lawrence (Sandee's cousin)
Cathy Sundly
July 27, 2009
Bill,Moose and family~
My thoughts and prayers are with you all...so many memories and laughs that we will always treasure~
Jack Murray
July 27, 2009
Most sincere condolences to all in the family, especially Moose.
Diana Calendo
July 27, 2009
Bill and Family,
I'm so very sorry for your loss. We will continue to keep you in our prayers.
Phil and Diana Calendo
Dr. Andrew Biscan
July 27, 2009
Condolences to Bill and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the Struther family.
Ruth Ann (Struthers) Begelman
July 27, 2009
Dear Uncle Moose and family,
Today I remember and cherish the many fun times we shared as cousins living so close to one another. In my mind Joyce is still the tall, pretty blond that I was certain would become a model one day. We were two restless girls who just wanted to have fun, and enjoyed making each other laugh.
Life is too short for many of us here on earth, so let's hope we meet again in the hereafter and continue the laughter. I wish you peace and serenity.
All my love,
Ruth Ann
July 27, 2009
My deepest sympathies! Please know that you are in my prayers!
Penny Meier
July 27, 2009
My deepest sympathies! Please know that you are in my prayers!
Maggie Carlson
July 27, 2009
Dear Tom, Trent and Kim:
I worked for your mom at Rockford Memorial Hospital when she was the EMS System Coordinator for Rock River Region EMS. We worked together at Rockford Health Plans and then of course at Saint Anthony Medical Center. Your mom was one classy lady! She could work circles around everyone and commanded respect. I had the opportunity to visit your mom a couple weeks ago and she told me that you were all compiling memory books. What a wonderful time of sharing, laughing and crying. You are all so young to lose your mom. My mom used to say "when your mom dies, you change." When my mom died 6 years ago, I realized what she meant. There are no magic words out there to make your sorrow diminish or your pain go away and everyone will tell you to hold on to those memories. And that is what you must do. Hold the memories and don't be afraid to cry today, tomorrow and for years to come whenever you just feel like it.
Sincerely, Maggie Carlson
Liz Peerboom
July 27, 2009
Bill - no words can express how sorry we are. You are in our prayers.
Steve & Liz Peerboom
and family
Greg and Kathy Taylor
July 27, 2009
Bill and family;
You have our most deepest sympathies and our heartfelt prayers.
Renee Arneson-Fredrickson
July 27, 2009
I also went to school with Joyce. I believe that alot of us have continued praying for her since our reunion. May it give you some comfort that she is at peace now and from family, friends and all the good memories.
July 27, 2009
To Moose and Family.....So sorry to hear the sad news. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time......Reva and Paul Johnson.
July 27, 2009
Bill & family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sorrow. God bless all of you.
Laura Campbell
Linda Patton
July 27, 2009
Joyce and I went to school together. My thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time.
July 27, 2009
Bill and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. May you find comfort with each other in this time of support. Sincerely, Lilli and Terry Bishop and Family
Sandi Fray
July 27, 2009
Joyce was truly an amazing woman who accomplished everything she put her mind to. We will miss her energy and enthusiasm in the office as well as her beautiful smile. Bill, Tom, Trent and Kim, my heart aches for your loss and I will keep you in my prayers always.
Love,
Sandi
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