Patsy Ivanell Nickels

6/20/1943-3/1/2025

Patsy (Freeman) Nickels passed away at home surrounded by loved ones on March 1, 2025. She was born in Brownfield, Texas to Mellie Lou Wilkerson and Elvis Lloyd Freeman on 6/20/1943. She was the youngest of five children whose family followed the crops from Texas, through California to Oregon, Washington and back. In 1951, Mellie decided the family needed to settle in their very first home in Turner, Oregon. Patsy started school and met her lifelong best girlfriend, Gloria Peterson Unger, that same year. She was an athlete and a straight A student, as well as salutatorian of the graduating class of 1961 from Cascade High School. After graduation, she began her professional career at Allstate as an administrative assistant. She started bowling in a mixed doubles league at Town and Country Bowl in 1963, where she met Leonard Ray Nickels when he asked the other gentleman on their team to switch partners. Len took her out that first night in May, and they were married on November 27th, Thanksgiving eve, of the same year. Theirs was a true love story. Pat joined Len working at the family store, Nico Furniture and Appliance, in 1974, and started teaching the first Amana microwave cooking classes in Salem. She would go on to become a part owner in Salem Appliance Center with Len, then office manager for Style Craft Carpets.

Len and Pat started their family with Lori in 1968, and then Lisa in 1971. Later, they welcomed grandsons Patrick in 2000, and Nickolas in 2007. She had a deep love for her family, close and extended.

After retiring, Pat enjoyed spending time with her family during the summer between their homes in Culver, Oregon and Salem, and the winters in Yuma, Arizona. She loved playing golf with friends there, watching her Suns and Blazers play basketball, her Cowboys during football season, and, of course, the Oregon Ducks playing any sport. She also loved to read and play pinochle.

Pat is preceded in death by her parents Elvis and Mellie, her siblings-Dorene Garland (Gene), Alene Showers (Keith), Carol Bonnette (Butch), and Delvis Freeman (Kathy). She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Len, daughters Lori and Lisa (Dan Hoagland), grandsons Patrick and Nickolas, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Her family would like to say a special thank you to Unicare Hospice in Yuma, Az, and Willamette Vital Health in Salem, Oregon for their care and compassion for Pat and her family. In lieu of flowers at this time, donations can be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Clinic at Doernbechers or the American Cancer Society.