Ione Etken-Nicholas

Mrs. Etken-Nicholas died Saturday, May 8, 2004, at Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit.

She was born Sept. 18, 1920, in Redwood Falls, Minn., the daughter of Peter and Bessie Pershman Gardner.

Mrs. Etken-Nicholas worked as a bookkeeper for the co-op elevator in Clyde until she began working as a nurse’s aide at Park Villa Nursing Home, where she later volunteered.

She was a member of Clyde United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7515 Ladies Auxiliary, American Legion Post No. 227 Ladies Auxiliary, Educational Home Unit and Mizpah Chapter No. 27 of Order of the Eastern Star.

She married Robert J. Etken on July 30, 1945, in Minneapolis, Minn. He died Feb. 18, 1980. A grandson, Michael Etken, also died earlier.

Survivors include a daughter, Julie Schmidt, Beloit; two sons, James Etken, Lawrence, and Randy Etken, Shakopee, Minn.; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Chaput Mortuary in Clyde, where the family will receive them from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

The family suggests memorials to the Solomon Valley Hospice or the Rebecca A. Morrison House, sent in care of the mortuary, 310 Washington St., Clyde 66938.