Roger Lee Nichols

Roger Lee Nichols was born to Milton and JoAnn (Koehn) Nichols on January 28, 1960, in Roseburg, OR.  The Lord unexpectedly called him home in the quiet morning hours of October 31, 2021.  Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 4, 2021, at Faith Mennonite Church in rural Iroquois, SD.  Lonnie Penner, Craig Jantz, and Phil Penner will officiate. 

Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. on Wednesday at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in De Smet, SD, and from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Faith Mennonite Church in rural Iroquois.

Burial will be at Faith Mennonite Cemetery in rural Iroquois.

Early childhood years were spent in Western Kansas.  When Roger was six, the family moved to a small dairy farm in Wisconsin.  Many happy childhood days were spent there, with his 3 younger sisters.

As a young child he gave his heart to the Lord and was baptized into The Church of God in Christ Mennonite.  Roger moved to South Dakota as a young adult.  There he met and married Bonnie Yost.  They spent 24 happy years together, raising their 3 children: Julie, Wayne, and Lance on their farm near De Smet.  A special childhood memory is the many camping trips to the Black Hills or a State Park.

Dad was heartbroken, when in 2006, our mother was taken from us.  After two lonely years, he found healing and love when he married Brenda Litwiller.  Together they blended our two families into one.  Nine children lovingly called him Dad, and he was a special papa to 24 precious grandchildren.

Roger was a caring husband and a strong leader in the home.  His sense of humor taught us how to laugh and enjoy life.  Dad loved to farm, and early morning chores were especially enjoyed.  He enjoyed life every day, working together with us.  Hunting, playing yard games, camping, and just spending time with family and friends brought him joy.

We don’t know how we will go on without him, but our Heavenly Father knows the way.

Left behind are his loving family: his wife, Brenda; daughter, Julie and Dan Wellnitz; sons: Wayne and Mikhael Nichols, Lance and Kaylee Nichols, Nicole and Kevin Mininger, Christopher and Carmen Litwiller, Lance and Emily Litwiller, Tyler and Marla Litwiller, Merle and Janae Litwiller,  Layne and Natalie Litwiller; twenty-four grandchildren; his parents, Milton and JoAnn Nichols; three sisters: Darla Nichols, Gail and Carl Friesen, Carol and Jon Friesen; Bonnie’s family: parents, Conrad and Lois Yost; siblings: Connie and Pat Unruh, Quinda and Bruce Penner, Rod and Edith Yost; parents-in-law, Arden and Nancy Litwiller; brothers-in-law: Kim and Mary Litwiller, Wendell and Shelley Litwiller; sisters-in-law: Jennifer and Kendall Smith, and Jessica and Jeff Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Bonnie.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel      www.crawfordosthus.com

Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant

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