Elva Fay Nickle

Elva Fay (Shoemaker) Nickle was born on June 16, 1924, in Hayward, WI, and passed on January 16, 2025, in Sonora, CA., at the age of 100 years and seven months, achieving her childhood goal of living to be a century old.

She fondly remembered living on a farm in Wisconsin with her three brothers and sister until they moved to California when she was ten. She spent the rest of her youth in Santa Ana, CA., where she met the love of her life, Bill Nickle. The couple married in 1941 in Yuma, AZ. In 1952, they moved to Hathaway Pines, CA., to raise their two daughters. In 1974, they moved to Murphy's, CA., where Elva was proudly promoted to postmaster and retired in 1989, and traveled the USA, often getting lost and having incredible adventures. Elva had an extraordinary gift for nurturing deep, lasting relationships with those around her. She was courageous, inspirational, loving, funny, and joyful. Her greatest joy was the love and gift of being a Wife, Mom, Grandma (Nana), Great-grandma, Great Great Grandma, mother-in-law, and friend. She will be remembered with joy by her beloved Daughters, Judy Bergantz (Denis) of Vacaville, CA., and Kathy Self (Rick) of Vallecito, CA., and Grandchildren Annette Downen (Mike), Scott Self (Jen), Anthony Bergantz, and Martin Self (Jessica), 8 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren, her brother Richard Shoemaker, many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill Nickle, parents Morse and Mae Shoemaker, brothers Newton and Alfred Shoemaker, and sister Evelyn Corsey. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers or donations, the family asks that you write a note with a kind message to a resident of our local care home, place a postal stamp on it, mail it in memory of Elva, and pass on her joy. At: Unit 6 179 S Fairview Lane Sonora Ca 95370 Attn: Friends of Nana