Lorna Laurice (Wheeler) Nickles, age 90, of Wenatchee, passed away on December 20, 2009, at home. Lorna was born to Elmer Guy and Alma Rena (Kubley) Wheeler in Seattle, WA on November 30, 1919. She had one brother, Lawrence Wheeler. Lorna attended Columbia Grade School and H.B. Ellison in Wenatchee. She graduated high school from St. Paul's Episcopal Private Girl's School in Walla Walla and attended the University of Washington, pledging a sorority. On March 15, 1943, Lorna married Benjamin Oliver "Ollie" Nickles in Reno, NV. In her younger years, Lorna worked at the Southend Drug Store and Southend Tavern, owned and operated by her parents. She was later employed by Dr. Merle Loudon, DDS. Then, she and Ollie opened "Tots & Teens" Clothing Store in East Wenatchee. She was later employed by Schneider's Department Store. For many years, she worked with Ollie in the fruit business, starting with Hi-Line Growers in East Wenatchee. They later moved to other fruit operations in Chelan, Prosser and Oroville, before retiring in Chelan. Lorna began a Blue Bird group for her youngest daughter and continued with the same group of girls through Camp Fire. Lorna and Ollie loved to hunt, fish and boat, especially on Lake Chelan, where they owned a summer home and were members of the Lake Chelan Boating Club. Lorna and Ollie traveled extensively, including Alaska, where her mother, Alma, was raised in Ketchikan. They also enjoyed trips to Hawaii and Mexico. They spent their winters as snowbirds, traveling throughout California, Arizona and the U.S. Lorna was past president of the Chelan Eagles Aerie #2218 and a life member of the Order of Eastern Star Astral Chapter #75.

Lorna was preceded in death by her parents, Guy and Alma Wheeler; in-laws, Benjamin and Margery (Heminger) Nickles; brother, Lawrence Wheeler; sister-in-law, Jean Wheeler; niece, Wendy (Wheeler) Cady; brother-in-law, Kenneth Nickles; and husband, Ollie. Lorna is survived by her two daughters, Lee Vonne (Michael) Forney of Chelan and Jo (Lorne) McCandlish of Wenatchee; and sister-in-law, Ethel Wheeler; grandchildren, Jason (Jolene) Davis, Joel Davis, Kelly (Inaki) Baraibar, Nathan Davis, Alfred Jordan Stojowski III and Amy O'Neel; great-grandchildren include, Maria and Kayla Chavolla, Mollie Davis, Sophia Baraibar, Ethan Houorie, Chay Jordan Stojowski, Michael O'Neel and Jamy O'Neel; nieces and nephews, John Wheeler, Cherita (Bruce) Bender, Deryl (Debbie) Nickles, Ben (Ruth) Nickles, Kim and Chad Burgess; cousins, Walt Kubley, Larry (Julia) Kubley, Karrin Kubley, Don (Tracy) Kubley, Blossom (Guy) Williams, Dr. Lisa Marie (Joe) Brazeau, Leanne Ford, Linda (Lael) Vickery, Merry Kay (Gary) Shaw, Mark (Karen) Heminger, Lynn (Joan) Heminger, Erma (Heminger) Bolinger, Duane (Janet) Belinger, Terry (Patty) Bolinger, Janis (Guy) Cooper, Ellson Miller, Charilyn Cardwell, Sharon (Ron) James and Gary (Andrea) Peters; numerous other family members. Lorna's very special friends, Glenda Thompson, Debby Lancaster and Blanca Cruz.

The family is most appreciative of the supportive services provided by the Home Care and Hospice staff. The family has chosen not to have a memorial service. However, memorials may be made to the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society, in memory of Lorna.