Karen G. Nichols, age 65, of Stronghurst, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at Great River Medical Center in West Burlington, Iowa. She was born November 11, 1953 in Burlington, the daughter of Gear and Lorraine Johnson Peterson. On December 20, 1975, she married Rodney Nichols in Olena, Illinois.

Karen was a graduate of Stronghurst High School. She was a teacher at the Burlington Christian School for thirty years. After teaching, she attended Southeastern School of Nursing and worked as a registered nurse at McDonough District Hospital in Macomb, Illinois for five years. She was an avid quilt maker and loved canning food. She was a member of the First Assembly Of God Church in Burlington.

Survivors include her husband, five sons, Kory (Tracie) Nichols and Jerrod (Jennifer Whitmore) Nichols, both of Strtonghurst, Jim (Laura) Nichols of Bloomington, IL, Darren (Kelly) Nichols of West Burlington, IA, Matt (Robin) Nichols of Blandinsville, IL, one foster daughter, Shelly (A.J.) Lindgren of Burlington, IA, eighteen grandchildren, (and one on the way), three great grandchildren, and three brothers, Kenny (Rhonda) Peterson of Biggsville, IL, Quentin (Kris) Peterson and Patrick (Janet) Peterson, both of Stronghurst. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Jeff and David Peterson.

Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. The funeral will be 3:00 p.m. Wednesday January 9, 2019 at the First Assembly Of God Church in Burlington, Iowa, with Pastor Scott Collier officiating. Cremation will be accorded following the service and burial of ashes will be in the Stronghurst Cemetery, at a later date. A memorial fund has been established for the Henderson County Health Department. Please visit banksandbeals.com to sign the guest book and leave a condolence.