Judy Kay Nicholson

Judy Nicholson

Oskaloosa. Judy Kay Nicholson, 84, of Oskaloosa, died Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Oskaloosa Care Center in Oskaloosa. She was born on January 23, 1942, in Humeston, Iowa, the daughter of Claire and Lucy Surbaugh Surfus. She attended high school in Humeston and was on the 6 on 6 basketball team. She graduated from Humeston High School with the class of 1960. Following high school she attended Iowa School of Beauty. Upon completing Iowa School of Beauty, Judy went to work as a beautician in Knoxville. It was while working in Knoxville that she met James Nicholson. On January 4, 1964, Judy and James were married in Knoxville. To this union three children were born, John, Jeffery, and Kelli. Following their marriage Judy stayed home to care for her family and home. When John and Kelli went to school, Judy re-entered the workforce. She started working at Iowa Wood Fibers, then Iowa Dress Club, and last the Lake Powell Yacht Club, retiring from there in 1994. In retirement she had her favorite job of babysitting her grandchildren. She loved to spoil her grandchildren, sometimes to the dismay of their parents. In addition to being a dedicated wife and mother, she was a daughter determined to care for her parents. She and Jim took her parents on many trips including Las Vegas, Arkansas, Prairie Meadows, and Meskwaki Casino. When her parents moved from their farm to Oskaloosa, Judy became their primary caregivers. As their care needs became greater, Judy and James had Claire and Lucy move in with them. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and always looked forward to BINGO on Monday and bowling on Wednesday with her Legion friends. She was a talented seamstress and taught her daughter to sew. Judy and Jim always had a large garden, she enjoyed tending to the plants in the summer and canning and freezing the harvest in the fall. Judy and Jim spent many summers going to Canada fishing. Judy was typically less committed to fishing and more interested in visiting people at the lodge. She rarely missed her grandchildren's activities; she looked forward to visiting with family on the road trip to the event almost as much as the event. She was an Oskaloosa Indian and Iowa Hawkeye Football and Basketball fan and enjoyed cheering for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Judy passed on the love of caring for family to her children, they provided care to her so she could stay in her own home until May of 2025. As her care needs increased, they moved her to Oskaloosa Care Center. At home and in the care center she always looked forward to visits from her nephew B.J. Carter.

Her family includes her two children, John (Jane) Nicholson and Kelli (Mike) Kindley all of Oskaloosa; grandchildren, Tyler (Paige) Kindley, Brett Kindley, and Ashely Kindley; two sisters-in-law, Barb Surfus and Linda Surfus; many nieces and nephews; and her cat Smokey that she adopted in 2023.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband James Nicholson on July 11, 2023; her parents; a son in infancy, Jeffery Nicholson; and two brothers, JR Surfus and Larry Surfus.

As was Judy's wish her body has been cremated. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date at the Lewisburg Cemetery. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.