Obituary: Debra D. Nichols

Debra Dawn Nichols was born to Charles Keith Barnes and Shirley Ann Novacek on August 14, 1959 in McCook, Nebraska and passed away August 25th 2026 at her home in Exeter, Nebraska at the age of 67. She was the second of 7 children.

Deb lived with parents and her grandmother, Mary Barnes, on farmstead north of Wauneta, Nebraska until her family moved to Imperial, Nebraska in 1968. On the farm, she loved learning to farm and taking care of her animals and siblings. She attended Imperial grade school and graduated from Chase County High School in 1977. While in high school, she continued to take care of her siblings, enjoyed hanging out with friends and worked at Jack’s Place as a waitress. In the summers, she would run a swather, and in the fall and winter she would help haul sugar beets for local farmers.

In 1978, she met Michael A. Nichols and they married on October 4th 1980. They continued to live in Imperial and raised 4 children together: Jennifer, Nicole, Michael, Jr. and Brandy.

Deb worked at the Frenchman Valley Coop as a scale operator and secretary. She also worked as a waitress, and at Wheeler's for several years before moving to Exeter, Nebraska in 1995. While in Exeter, she worked at the Dorchester Coop, and was a volunteer EMT with the Exeter Fire Department. After her kids graduated high school, she joined Mike on the road as a team truck driver for 18 years.

She was a devoted wife, mother and sister. She enjoyed spending quality time with family and friends no matter the activity. One of her favorite things to do was to beat her kids and grandkids at card games like rummy and pitch. She loved being out in warm weather and growing her garden and flowers. She attended many kids and grandkids activities and sporting events. She enjoyed raising chickens and many other farm animals over her lifetime. She especially enjoyed cooking and hosted many annual thanksgiving events at her home.

Deb was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Shirley Barnes; parents-in-law, Norman and Ima Nichols; grandma, Mary Barnes; daughter, Michelle Nichols; and nephew, Davey Barnes.

She is survived by her husband of 45 years Michael A. Nichols, Sr. of Exeter, Nebraska; children, Jennifer Houck (Lewis Hayes) of York, Nebraska, Nicole Nichols (Lance Sprouse) of Morristown, Tennessee, Michael Nichols, Jr. (Melanie) of Milligan, Nebraska, and Brandy Nichols (Cory Engert) of Exeter, Nebraska; 13 grandchildren, Alan Loeffler of Lincoln, Nebraska, Alex Loeffler of York, Nebraska, Shiann Houck of York, Nebraska, Craighten Rea of Lincoln, Nebraska, Cooper Rea of Lincoln, Nebraska, Taylor Engert of Fairmont, Nebraska, Sydney Engert of Exeter, Nebraska, Archer Engert of Exeter, Nebraska, Katie Moody of Lincoln, Nebraska, Sean Gibson of Friend, Nebraska, Mordekai Krause of Milligan, Nebraska, Nova Krause of Milligan, Nebraska, Ender Krause of Milligan, Nebraska; brothers, Duane "Barney" Barnes of Exeter, Nebraska, David Barnes (Mary) of Ogallala, Nebraska, Dwight Barnes (Sherry) of Enders, Nebraska, Daryl Barnes of Imperial, Nebraska, and Danial Barnes of Omaha, Nebraska; sister, Diane Vandike (Tony) of Bird City, Kansas; 7 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and great friends.

Death Notice: Debra D. Nichols

 Wife of Michael Nichols, Sr. - Mother of Jennifer Houck, Nicole Nichols, Brandy Nichols, and Michael Nichols, Jr.

It was Debra's wish to be cremated. The family will be hosting friends at the Exeter American Legion on Friday, August 28, 2026. There will be a private family burial in the Riverside Cemetery in Wauneta, Nebraska on Saturday, August 29, 2026.

Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.

Classroom Update: Mrs. Brandi Perez

 The 2026-27 school year officially kicked off with the district-wide theme "All In." Each school year brings on new students, new staff members, and new possibilities both in an out of the classroom. This year everyone is reminded to be all in with what they do. This is no different for the classes I teach: Speech, Study Skills, English 10, English 12, and Creative Writing.

In Speech, students are starting the semester learning the foundations of public speaking and have just begun their first speech entitled, "Scrapbook Speech." They get to present to their classmates about their life using only pictures as visual aids. This speech really helps students get to know one another with a topic they know a lot about...their life!

Study Skills, required for both 7th and 8th grade students, have been working on utilizing their planners in the most effective way possible while also reviewing their current note-taking skills and working on strengthening new skills. This course has also allowed student to have social-emotional learning through a program called Character Strong.

English 10 students have hit the ground running by working through their curriculum and answering the question, "Are there differences that can't be bridged?" 

English 12 students are on their final stretch before graduation and have gotten a head start on updating their resumes for scholarships. They have also dove into the heroic world of Beowulf and have been discussing the ways in which evil plays a role in the world around us.

Creative Writing is a new class this year and is being co-taught alongside Mrs. Anderson. The classroom has been filled with wonderful ideas, stories, and great thinking that has aided in the process of becoming better writers for both the students and the teachers. 

As mentioned previously, this new school year come with new possibilities and it has been an important reminder that even if you are the student or the teacher, everyone is always learning and should be all in with what they do.