Dawn (Wallner) Nichols

L. Dawn Nichols, a life-long area resident, died Friday, August 21, 2020 at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene due to complications of heart disease. She was 79.

Dawn was born February 16, 1941 at Troy, Idaho to Bertle and Eva (Croson) Wallner. She grew up there, graduating from Troy High School in 1959.

She and Melvin S. Nichols were married in Troy on September 9, 1961 and they lived in Moscow.

Dawn worked at the First Bank of Troy following graduation from high school until shortly after her marriage to Mel. After several years she chose to stay home and raise their children. When their children were older, she returned to the workforce taking a job with Hickory Farms in the Palouse Mall. Later she worked at the Moscow branch of the First Bank of Troy, which later become Sterling Bank and then Umpqua Bank, and retired after 27 years of service.

Dawn was active in Campfire for many years as a leader when her daughters were young, and as a member of Campfire Council. She and Mel were longtime members of the Latah County Snow Drifters Snowmobile Club. Dawn was a member of the Troy Historical Society as well as the Palouse Road Runners, where she also served as Secretary.

Dawn took pleasure in gardening and yard work, logging many hours on her garden tractor. She also enjoyed many outdoor activities including scouting for huckleberries and firewood with her family, riding her ATV and in the wintertime she could be found snowmobiling in the surrounding mountains.

Dawn enjoyed cooking, baking and candy making as well. Family and friends were always welcome at her home.  She loved having her family drop in for visits or for longer stays over the holidays. She often made dozens of cookies and all her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews were always invited for “frosting parties”.

Dawn had a special place in her heart for dogs and cats and enjoyed their companionship throughout the years.

Dawn is preceded in death by her husband Mel, her sister Sheryl Hanson, an infant brother James and her parents.

Dawn is survived by her daughters, Darcy (Timothy) McClung in Spokane, WA, Karen (JP) Carbon in Auburn, WA, and Melinda (David) Slater in Bothell, WA and sons, Kent Nichols and Kurt (Shelly) Nichols, both of Moscow ID. Dawn also leaves behind 8 grandchildren (Kayla, Jayme, Kyleigh, Cody, Ryan, Zachary, Brayden, Caitlin,), a great grandson (Ryker), and a great-granddaughter (Poala) on the way!

A graveside service will be at Burnt Ridge Cemetery near Troy, Idaho on September 19th at 10 am. A celebration of life will be held afterward at her home in Moscow from 12-3 pm. If you would like to stop by to share a story of Dawn, there will be cookies and drinks while social distancing outside.

The family suggests memorials be made to the Humane Society of the Palouse, Moscow Volunteer Fire Department or the Idaho State Snowmobile Association.

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