Lisa M. Nichols

God gained one of the best on Thursday, November 4, 2021. Finally, pain free and cancer free, she is victorious with God. That was her goal, to be the "Miracle Child," to help others by giving hope and she did just that. It may not have looked exactly how she had planned, but God had a bigger plan. She truly was the "Miracle Child." Throughout her battle, she inspired and encouraged many overcoming difficult obstacles with her courage and bravery. She was a true fighter.
Lisa Mildred Kienlen was born on March 10, 1965 to Richard W. Kienlen and Lois K. Cooper. She graduated from Burlington Community High School in 1983. In 1984, Lisa married her soulmate Ronald D. Nichols. They have been married for nearly 40 years.
She worked for several years at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant (IAAP) and Merit Construction before going back to school for Education. She attended both Iowa Wesleyan and Ashford University online and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. She worked for the Burlington Community School District in a variety of roles and coached volleyball, basketball, soccer, and also volunteered time to the BHS softball teams coaching and caravanning too! She loved to coach and be involved with sports. She finished her career working as the Store Manager at Bath and Body Works. She was the "best boss" her team would say and she loved her job, her team, and her customers so much.
Lisa was very family oriented. She loved to spend time with her soulmate, her kids, her grandbabies, her siblings, her family in entirety. There was nothing that was more important to her than her family. She loved to take vacations and have a full itinerary planned with things to do from beginning to end! She was a planner for sure!
She was a Fashion Queen, from her clothes and shoes, to her hair and makeup, her nails and toes, and every accessory in between, Lisa's look was always on point and she was so proud of that. Her daughters often turned to her to borrow things because she had the trendiest of style.
Lisa loved many many many things. Reading and listening to music, sitting outside to unwind and pray. She loved food, coffee and donuts and especially sweets! She loved to shop! She loved the St. Louis Cardinals and Elvis. She loved her fur babies, her very own and her kids' fur babies. She loved being a Nana especially. Her grandbabies meant the world to her and she loved spending time with them whenever she could.
She was many things to many people. She was a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a nana, an aunt, a niece, a cousin, a friend, a mentor, a boss, and a coach. It was her goal to impact others, to give hope and inspire, and to make a change. It was her hope that her memory would be carried on and remembered. Her goal was to be the "Miracle Child," and in the life that she lived, the battle she fought so hard, she was that exactly.
Survivors include her soulmate Ronald D. Nichols; 3 children, Lindsey (Matt) Cratton, Rachel Nichols, and Brandon (Ashley) Nichols; 4 grandchildren Lexi, Eliza, Bella, and Maddie; siblings, Rick (Tina) Kienlen, Richie (Vangie) Kienlen, Shelly (Don) Dade, Stacy (Tracy) McCampbell and SueAnn (Jeff) Stiles; step
mother Bonnie J. Kienlen, in-laws Dean (Paulette) Nichols, several uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Lisa was preceded in death by her father, Richard W. Kienlen, her mother, Lois K. Cooper and her nephew, Tray Tray McCampbell.
She would not want this to be the end, simply a farewell. We know you will be watching over us. This is not good bye, but we will see you soon!
We love you!
Family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.
The funeral service for Mrs. Nichols will be 2:00 PM Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home with Reverend Shane A. McCampbell officiating.
Cremation will be entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory following the service. Burial will be in Burlington Memorial Park at a later date.
A memorial has been established for her Grandbabies Education Fund.