Wanda Pauline (Clough) Nickels Witt, 98, died Dec. 18, 2020, at Sterling Presbyterian Manor, Sterling. She was born Oct. 9, 1922, in Lerado, to David Everett and Allie (Lawson) Clough. Wanda married Leonard Nickels Sept. 27, 1941, at the Lerado United Methodist Church, Lerado. Leonard died Aug. 26, 1975. She then married Arthur Witt Jan. 20, 1979, at the Claflin United Methodist Church, Claflin. Arthur died Nov. 3, 2004.
A 1940 valedictorian graduate of Langdon High School, Wanda continued her education at Hutchinson Community College, Wichita State University, Kansas State University, then graduating from Sterling College and Emporia State University, receiving her Masters degree in Library Science.
Wanda, a long-time resident of Claflin, moved to Alden July, 2019, being blessed to live in the home in which she had designed at the age of 96. She was the librarian for the Little River School District, and then moved to Claflin where she was librarian for the Claflin School District. Wanda was a member of the Claflin United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, TOPS, and Delta Kappa Gamma. She enjoyed reading, gardening, sewing, quilting and traveling.
Survivors include one son, Jim Nickels and wife Barb of Hutchinson; two daughters, Judith Ray of Alden and Janelle Bennett and husband Craig of Alden; grandchildren, Scott Nickels of Wichita, Jeremy Bennett (Bridgette) of Sterling, Jaime Howard (Lindy) of Alden, Joel Bennet (Madyson) of Hutchinson, Jill Wilson (Cullan) of Pratt; and numerous great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. She was preceded in death by husbands, Leonard Nickels and Arthur Witt; son-in-law, Robert Ray; two brothers, Otis Clough and Vernon Clough; and one sister, Wilma Fulks.
Public visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Private family services will be held Wednesday in Claflin, with interment at Lerado Cemetery. Pastor Diana Webster will preside. Services can be viewed Wednesday afternoon on www.nicholsonrickefh.net. Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society or Claflin United Methodist Church, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.