Kay Ethel "Nana" Nickolett

(Nee Johnson) was born on August 4th, 1938, in Milwaukee, WI. On August 3rd, 2021, she passed away at the age of 82. Join us for a celebration of her life on Saturday, August 14th, starting at 1 pm at the Becker Ritter Funeral Home in Brookfield, WI. Guests are encouraged to wear festive colored clothing (not required).

She was the first of five children of Knute Gustave Johnson and Eileen Dorothy Ludack Johnson (K.G. “Gus” Johnson, Jr., Eileen Pearson, Margaret “Peggy” Glander, and Karen Johnson). Kay was baptized at the Hammond Avenue Presbyterian Church, Superior, WI, and later became a member of Christ The Victor (CTV) Lutheran Church, New Berlin, WI. She was active in CTV’s Women of the ELCA group for years. Kay was a member of the Bad River Chippewa Tribe, Odanah, WI. 

Kay graduated from Central High School, Superior, WI, in June 1956 and was the class Valedictorian. She worked during her senior year at the Holden Ins. Agency in Superior until August 1956 when she became a medical secretary at the VA Medical Center in Milwaukee (Wood), WI. She subsequently worked at the USAF Hospital, Valdosta, GA; St. Joseph’s Hospital, Superior, WI; Camp Kue Army Hospital, Okinawa, RYIS; VA Hospital, Topeka, KS; and retired from the Milwaukee VAMC in June 1996 from the position she created (as their first) Patient Representative. 

In 1960 Kay met Ronald Dennis Nickolett while they were home in Superior, WI, on vacation. On Christmas Eve, 1960, they were married in Superior, WI, at the Hammond Avenue Presbyterian Church. They divorced in 1977. Kay and Ron had two children: Ronald “Chip” Nickolett II and Jacquelyn Kay Nickolett Kennedy. 

Kay loved reading, knitting, sewing, and typing (creating Johnson Family Memory Books, updating the family addresses, and typing for CTV and VA Alumni). She volunteered at the Arthritis Foundation Office. Above all, Kay loved her family and kept her grandchildren close. She took care of her family, and her family took care of her. She is admired, loved, and missed by her family and friends.

Kay is survived by her two children:  Ronald Nickolett (Jacqueline nee Sharak) and Jacquelyn Kennedy (Michael); six grandchildren: Nickolett Harvey (Kyle), Paul, Rachel, and Michaela Kennedy and Heather, Jacob, and Paige Nickolett; and two great-grandchildren: Ava Marie Nickolett and Alexander Michael Benavides, with her third on the way: Lincoln Michael Suvaka. Kay was preceded in death by her parents: Eileen (April 16th, 1963) and Knute (February 16th, 1989).

Gathering at the Funeral Home on Saturday, August 14, 2021 1-3PM. Memorial Service at 3PM. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please make a donation in Kay’s honor to your favorite Veterans organization.

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