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In Memoriam

Loretta Dietz (Nichols) - Class Of 1931

Loretta Mae Dietz, daughter of John M. (1876-1955) and Olive Louisa (Wagner) (1876-1952) Dietz, was born 23 October 1913 Ingham County, Michigan.  She graduated from Okemos High School in 1931 as co-valedictorian of her class.  Loretta married Preston L. Nichols 7 March 1939 Steuben County, Indiana.  Preston served in the US Army (1943-1945) during World War II. 

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Tuesday 12 October 1943

Mrs. Loretta Nichols has received word from her husband, Pvt. Preston Nichols, United States armed forces, that he has arrived at an island in the Pacific area.  Mr. Nichols was employed by the Consumers Power company in Lansing and Mrs. Nichols is employed there at present.

Preston, born 19 January 1908 in Marion County, Alabama, worked for Consumers Power Company in Lansing, Ingham County for 42 years.  Preston died 23 September 1977, Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan.  Loretta died 18 October 2006 in Ingham County.  They are interred Glendale Cemetery, Okemos, Ingham County.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Friday 20 October 2006

LORETTA M. "BETTY" NICHOLS

OKEMOS, MI

Loretta M. "Betty" Nichols passed away on October 18, 2006 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, following complications from pneumonia and congestive heart failure.  She was born Loretta Mae Dietz on October 23, 193 in Meridian Township, the daughter of John M. and Olive L. (Wagner) Dietz.  A lifelong resident of this area, her home was built on a parcel of land from the original Dietz family farm.  She graduated from Okemos High School in 1931 as co-valedictorian of her class and was employed by Consumers Energy on two separate occasions over the next 14 years (1931-39 and 1942-1945).  Betty married Preston L. Nichols on March 7, 1939.  The couple lived together for the next 38 years until Mr. Nichols death in 1977.  She lived in the same house for 67 years, the last 29 as the sole occupant and caretaker.  Betty was family oriented and enjoyed time with both her immediate and extended families.  Her door was always open.  Surviving are her son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Jon and Janet Nichols of Grand Rapids; two grandchildren, John Preston Nichols II of Madison, Wisconsin and Jan Katherine Cole of Lake Orion; and several nieces and nephews, as well as great-nieces and great-nephews. The family wishes to acknowledge the continued love and support of special nephew William H. Dietz and of close friends, Dotti Covert and Dale Grettenberger, all of Meridian Township.  There will be a memorial service Saturday, October 21, at 2:00 p.m. at the Gorsline-Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 E. Grand River, East Lansing.