Elvia K. "Sam" Nichols

July 1, 1929 - July 18, 2014

Elvia Kathryn “Sam” Nichols, age 85, of Knoxville and formerly of New Sharon, Iowa passed away Friday evening, July 18, 2014 at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House. Elvia was born in Avery, Iowa, on July 1, 1929, the only daughter of John and Harriet Tillie (Hazelett) Polka. When Elvia was a child her family moved from Avery to New Sharon where they owned and operated a gas station just outside of New Sharon. Elvia attended both public and country school. She graduated from New Sharon High School, Class of 1946. Elvia was a house wife, she worked at the Palmer Law Office, she did carpentry with her husband and she owned and operated the Boyd Insurance Company. She enjoyed bowling, fishing, sewing, watching sports and was a big Iowa Hawkeye fan. A few of her hobbies include collecting coins and stamps, and playing softball and basketball in her younger years. Elvia did a lot of fishing, but her true love was traveling. She went all over the United States. On February 12, 1949 Elvia and Earl McDonough were united in marriage. Earl died in 1954. She later married Loyd Rennells. Elvia and Loyd were blessed with four daughters: Rhonda, Ruth, Roslyn and Karyn. They later divorced. On July of 1970 Elvia married Harold Boyd. They enjoyed 13 years of marriage together and were blessed with one daughter Linda. Harold died in 1983. On December 4, 1993 Elvia married Jack Nichols. Jack died in March of 1998. Elvia is survived by her five daughters, Rhonda (Rick) Hanna of New Sharon, Ruth Wooldridge of Knoxville, Roslyn Graham of Anderson, IN, Karyn Salsberry and Dan Houser of Pella and Linda Boyd of Newton; four stepchildren, Barb (Mike) O’Brien, Cheri (Terry) Franzen, Deb (Clifford) DeJong and Denny (Sandi) Nichols; 10 grandchildren, Jennifer (Shawn) Veenstra, Rick Hanna and Crystal Black, Cody Burk, Amber Burk, Tricia Graham, Stephanie (Brett) Sanders, Crystal Humphrey, Katie (Tony) Cook, Jamison Poe and Dylan Poe; and seven great-grandchildren, Lincoln, Brighton, Brennan, Ryleigh, Anthony, Conner and Brooklyne. Elvia is also survived by her brother Frank Polka of Chandler, AZ. She was preceded in death by her parents John and Harriet Polka; her son-in-law Mike Wooldridge; and two brothers, John “Buddy” and George Polka. Elvia’s memorial service will be held at 5:00 P.M., Monday, July 21, 2014 at the Celebrate Community Church of Knoxville with Pastor Steve Heerema officiating. Burial will follow services on Tuesday, July 22nd at the Ruckman Cemetery of rural Knoxville. Following Elvia’s memorial service the family will be greeting friends from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. also at the church. Sandwiches and snacks will be provided. A memorial has been established for the Hospice of Pella Comfort House or the DaVita Kidney Dialysis. Condolences may be sent to www.winfieldfh.com. The Winfield Funeral Home of Knoxville is helping Elvia’s family with services.