Jeanette (Croell) Nikolas

Jeanette (Croell) Nikolas, age 94, of Arlington, Texas formerly of Greene, Iowa, was born October 29th, 1930, and died surrounded by family on November 1, 2024, in Mansfield, Texas. She was born in Hampshire, Illinois, to Richard and Leona (Schalk) Croell. She was the second of ten children and moved to Lawler, Iowa, in the fourth grade. She attended high school at Immaculate Conception Academy in Dubuque, Iowa, and attended Upper Iowa University and Iowa Teachers College.

Jeanette started teaching in country school and also taught at St John’s Catholic School and Blessed Sacrament. She met Earl Nikolas walking home from country school. They were united in marriage on June 9,1951 at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas, where Earl was stationed in the US Army. From this union seven children were born. During their marriage they lived in Nashua, Allison, Waterloo, Wellsburg and Greene.

Jeanette raised miniature dachshunds. She enjoyed raising flowers and gardening. Also sewing clothes for her children and loved to cook and bake. Earl and Jeanette enjoyed going to dances and doing puzzles together.

Jeanette and Earl raised quarter horses and paints for many years enjoying with the family, showing and going on trail rides.

Jeanette and Earl retired in Arlington, Texas, in 2013. Earl preceded her in death on Valentine's Day, 2018.

She is survived by her children, Mary (David) Deike Wellsburg, IA, Julie Freese, Arlington, TX, Michael (Lori) Nikolas, Blue Springs, MO, Lori (Larry) Hildestad, Wiggins, MS, Patrick (Theresa) Nikolas, Slidell, LA, Kristi (Joel) Demuth, Shell Rock, IA; 15 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great- grandchildren.

Also survived by her siblings, Mabel Banwell, Leone (Jack) O’Donnell, Roger Croell, Eileen Levin (Ron) , Kathy (Duane) Wickman and David (Bobbye) Croell.

Jeanette was preceded in death by her husband, Earl; son, Earl II; granddaughter, Melissa; parents; sisters, Rosemary Junko, and Teresa Johnson; and a brother, Richard Croell.

A visitation for Jeanette will be held Wednesday, November 13, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Moore Bowen Road Funeral Home, 4216 South Bowen Road, Arlington, TX 76016, followed by a funeral service at 10:00 AM.