Marlene Ella Nickles

1936 - 2025

Marlene Ella (Meehan) Nickles, daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, nurse, and friend, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2025, surrounded by love.

Marlene was born to Russell and Ada (Becker) Meehan in St. Paul, Minnesota on July 11, 1936. She graduated from Hamline University with a Registered Nursing (RN) degree. During this time she met the love of her life, Stanley "Stan" Nickles, on a blinddate and were married in September of 1958. Together they shared more than six decades of marriage, raising their three children in Apple Valley and building a life rooted in family, faith, and service to others.

Marlene spent much of her professional life as a school nurse at Westview Elementary School in Apple Valley, Minnesota. She was known for her compassion, calm presence, and dedication to the well-being of the students and families she cared for. Her nursing career reflected her lifelong calling to help others with kindness and grace.

At home, Marlene was the heart of her family. She lovingly supported Stan throughout his long career in education and took great pride in her role as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She cherished time with family and created lasting memories through family gatherings, shared traditions, and lifelong travel. Marlene especially enjoyed traveling with Stan. They traveled across the U.S. and abroad, highlighted by an annual fishing trip to Canada with friends.

Marlene will be remembered for her warmth, quiet strength, generosity, and unwavering love for those around her.

She is survived by her children, Kay (Mike) Peterson, David (Pam) Nickles, and Barb (Rich) Lynn; her grandchildren, Blake Peterson, Katie (Connor) Sherrill, Ava Lynn, Shane Peterson, Kayla (Brandon) Koehnle, John (Ashley) Lynn, and Jack (Anjan) Singh-Lynn; her great-grandsons, Brooks, Holden and Baker; sister Jan Hahn; brother Ralph (Barb) Meehan and many extended family members and dear friends.

Marlene was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Stanley "Stan" Nickles, in 2022; her brother Ron Meehan; brother-in-law Dave Hahn.

A celebration of Marlene's life will be held on January 3, 2026 at Grace Lutheran Church in Apple Valley. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., service at 2:00 p.m. followed by a light luncheon and fellowship. Memorials may be directed to True Friends - Camp Courage (8046 83rd St. NW, Maple Lake, MN 55358) or to Grace Lutheran Church.

Marlene's legacy of compassion, devotion, and love will live on through each of us who had the privilege of knowing her.