Marlene Ellenor Nichols

Marlene E. (Marti) Nichols, 79, passed away on Thursday, March 3, 2016 at Hope West Hospice in Grand Junction. She was born in Denver, Colorado on February 27, 1937 to Francis and Ellenor Gerlits. She graduated from West High School in 1955. After high school, she graduated from Barnes Business College.

Marti married Fred W. Nichols, Jr. in 1957 and were happily married 54 years until Fred’s passing in 2011. They had three children, Lori, Fred III, and Kari.

Marti began working at King Soopers in Denver and when she and Fred moved to Grand Junction, she transferred to City Market. She retired after 25+ years of dedicated service.

After retirement, she volunteered several days a week with St. Mary’s Hospital Oncology Department. She was also a volunteer with the No One Dies Alone Volunteer Program at St. Mary’s and at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband Fred, her parents Francis and Ellenor Gerlits, and her brother Ed Gerlits.

She is survived by her children, Lori Nicolas of Denver, Fred Nichols III (Stephanie) of Grand Junction, and Kari Shepardson (Paul) of Highlands Ranch; and her sister Carolyn Gerlits Stubbert (James) of Littleton. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Zachary, Jaide, Elizabeth, Cooper, Cody, Blake, and Grant; and four great-grandchildren, Lohgan, Colton, Ethan and Breckin.

The family will be greeting friends and relatives at a Visitation held Thursday March 10 at 6:00 pm at Callahan Edfast Mortuary, 2515 Patterson Road, Grand Junction, followed by a Rosary at 7:00 pm.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, March 11, 2016 at 10:00 am, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. 230 North 3rd Street, Grand Junction with a reception immediately following at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Hope West Hospice, 3090 North 12th Street, Unit B, Grand Junction, CO 81506.