Lucinda L. "Cindi" Nickel

Cindi Anderson Nickel was born August 18, 1962, to Shirley and Ed Anderson at St. Anthony's hospital in OKC. They took her home to Spencer to join her big brother Arthur Allen Anderson - where they taught her many of life's lessons. She died on August 14, 2022, from glioblastoma.
Cindi loved learning & school from an early age at Spencer Elementary then Our Lady of Fatima and on to Harrah for junior and senior high. She was fortunate in having outstanding teachers – including Mrs. Brenda Wells Litchfield - and lifelong friends from each school. Due to the encouragement of her Harrah High School teachers, Cindi put herself through college and graduated with a BBA from UCO – in 3 years, in a 3-way tie for first (4.0 GPA) in the graduating class of 1983.
After college, she went to work for the USAF at Tinker AFB in the spring of 1984. She was fortunate to have incredible mentors and would make lifelong friends across the AF. These friends supported and encouraged her throughout her career. She started as an Inventory Management Specialist who became a recoverable requirements expert and later worked as a weapon system logistician. At work, she had a strong technical foundation and worked on teams which solved many complex issues for Air Force Material Command. She retired on 18 Aug 18 and carried the AF friendships from far and wide into retirement.
Cindi looked at life most usually with a smile. She had a strong sense of irony and a quick wit which often had her finding the humor in most situations. She would both laugh at herself and with others.
Cindi followed sports year around, especially those of OU and OSU. While attending an OKC Blazers hockey game in 1993, Cindi came across the best guy in the whole wide world for her – Tony Nickel. They married at St. Teresa of Avilla Catholic Church in 1994 and settled into life in Harrah. Tony graciously learned to dance for their wedding (as a surprise for his parents). They had many, many happy times dancing to the Texas Playboys, Asleep at the Wheel, and other carriers of Western Swing's torch.
Cindi is survived by her husband Tony, her mother, Shirley Anderson, her brother Allen & his wife Shelle Anderson & their daughter & son-in-law Sarah & Zach LaFollette. Also surviving are Cindi's Uncle Dennis Huggins and his wife Kathy Merkx, cousins Deann & Dwight Hooper, Kristin Huggins, Suzanne & Scott Stanley, and her Aunt Mary Ann Huggins together with a host of cousins and friends.
Cindi was preceded in death by her dad Ed Anderson, mother-in-law Sue Nickel and father-in-law Raymond Nickel, grandparents W.C. & Myrtle Anderson, Mabel & Harry Huggins, and Belbena Meany. If so inclined and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Cindi to local mobile meals programs, or to Cancer patient support and OU's Stephenson Cancer Center brain cancer research by following the link below.
https://www.ouhealth.com/philanthropy-at-ou-health/our-philanthropic-priorities/give-to-cancer-care-research/
Graveside services will be held 9:00 a.m. Saturday, August 20, 2022, at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Cemetery in Harrah. Due to personal losses and treatment struggles due to COVID-19, Cindi felt strongly about getting vaccinations and wearing masks to protect cancer patients and others with health issues.
Arrangements are under the care of Asa Smith Funeral Services of Harrah. Online condolences may be made at www.asasmith.net