Louisa Wren "Lulu" Nickel

June 15, 2012 – July 4, 2017

On July 4th, 2017, as fireworks were booming, Louisa (Lulu) Wren Nickel went home to Jesus with her loving parents by her side. It was the picture perfect send-off for a precious girl who graciously battled a rare genetic condition, and touched the lives of so many during her short time with us. As anyone who’s met Lulu can attest, there was something incredibly special about her spirit.

Lulu’s family and friends will always cherish their memories of her as an easygoing, gentle soul, who liked to laugh and cuddle. She loved to swim, swing, and to feel the wind in her hair. She also loved to be outside - going for walks in the woods behind her house, looking up at the leaves in the tall trees, and lounging in the hammock. She loved music, and listening to the birds. Lulu also traveled to all sorts of places with her family, including Hawaii, Canada, Washington, the Oregon coast, and Northern California.

Her name, Louisa, means “renowned warrior” and she lived up to the title in more ways than anyone could have expected. She valiantly endured countless medical treatments, while deftly rejecting many of the diagnoses, prognoses, and labels the world tried to pin on her. Through it all, she showed benevolence, patience, and wisdom beyond her years as her parents learned to best advocate for her.

Lulu formed spiritual connections with everyone she met, regardless of their age, race, or background. Throughout her arduous journey, she and her family drew strength from their unwavering faith, and their love for one other. Several verses from Scripture, in particular, inspired her journey:

“My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you – I whom you have delivered.” (Psalm 71:23)

“The Lord is perfecting that which concerns me.” (Psalm 138:8)

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Mark 10:14)

Lulu’s parents, Jeff and Sara, and her brothers Grover and Linus, will live on to honor her joyful, warrior spirit. Though they are grateful she is at peace and that they will one day see each other again, they will deeply miss her sweet presence daily. She has richly blessed them over the past five years, and their family will always be marked by her bright light. Lulu will also be dearly missed by her grandparents, Tom and Shirley Smith, and Don and Judy Nickel, Her “Grandma Great,” Arline Smith, great-grandparents, Jake and Mary Warkentin, as well as her many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Special Thanks:

Jeff and Sara wish to express their warmest gratitude to Lulu’s outstanding caregivers and health care providers, especially Jenny, her loving CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), and her therapists, case workers, and nurses. Thanks also to the Lomber family, and to their St. Vincent and Banfield families. Many thanks to Make-a-Wish Oregon. Finally, thanks to all those who have supported Lulu in countless meaningful ways over the past five years. The Nickels are profoundly grateful for your care and generosity.

Gifts and Donations:

In lieu of flowers, donations toward Lulu’s funeral and burial costs are greatly appreciated. Donations will be received through Lulu’s GoFundMe account online: https://www.gofundme.com/SweetLuluWren (click “updates” below her photo to see the latest post).

For those who are local and wish to help, a meal train has been set up online. If you would like to drop off a meal to the Nickel family in the coming weeks, please sign up here: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/k9k1d0

Memorial and Open House:

There will be a private gravesite memorial for sweet Louisa on July 12 at Lincoln Memorial Park & Funeral Home (11801 SE Mt Scott Blvd. Portland, OR, 97086).

While the memorial is by invitation only, all are welcome to join for a celebration of life for a girl so dearly loved, at the Nickel home afterwards. Please feel free to pass by the open house gathering on July 12 at 1pm. Kids welcome!