Marcia Nichols

Marcia Christine Nichols, 44, River Falls, WI, passed away peacefully in her home on Friday morning, January, 17^th, 2020 in the loving company of her husband, Michael Sprandel, dear friend DeAnn Hammer, and hospice care.  She bravely endured the treatment of leiomyosarcoma over two years.

Marcia was born May 7^th, 1975 in Crookston, MN to Sandra and David Nichols.  She attended school in Climax, MN, where she excelled at sports, arts and academics, receiving the Minnesota AAA award in 1993.  She loved volleyball and basketball, was an active member of the FFA, and on the honor roll.  In the summer there was always something fun to do at the lake.  Often she was the first one to put on a wet suit and ski just after the ice went out.  She also worked construction projects such as shingling, siding and putting up road signs with her dad, Dave, and friend, Mort Swenson.

After high school she attended NDSU where she studied mechanical engineering.  She was part of the mini Baja project and was on a team that created an egg throwing Trojan Horse for EEE day, which was tested during the middle of the night at the lake, with grandpa’s pickup lights and dozens of eggs. During the summers of her college years she interned at 3M, St Paul, in the medical products division, being included in studies for bandage adhesives and steri strips.  Upon graduation at NDSU in 1997, with a Bachelors of Mechanical Engineering degree she joined 3M full time.  She worked in the St. Paul, New Ulm, and Hutchinson locations over the years.  The last several years she worked at the St. Paul campus where she was a Senior Engineer with the Infection Prevention Division.  She is credited with 2 patents in her name, and others where she was part of the team.

When Marcia met Michael in Northfield, MN, they knew this was not a normal encounter.  They were together ever since.  They enjoyed the same sense of humor, going to concerts, being at the lake, singing karaoke, handing out Halloween candy to kids, watching How It’s Made and mini golf.  The two were united in marriage on April, 12^th, 2019, in Ellsworth, WI, followed by a joyful celebration at Belle Vinez winery in River Falls, WI.   They made their home in River Falls, with their wiener dog TyTy.

Marcia is survived by her husband, Michael Sprandel, River Falls, WI, mother Sandra Nichols, Climax, MN, sister, Susan Nichols, Waite Park, MN, Parents-in-law Barb and Donald Sprandel, brother-in-law Patrick (Laurie) Sprandel, Austin, MN, uncle Neil Enger, Mayville, ND, aunt Pam (Jim) Mostad, cousins Dan (Shannon) Mostad, Minot, ND, Greg (Melissa) Mostad, Mayville, ND, cousins Vernell (Mary) Nichols, Ulen, MN, LaDean (Joanne) Nichols, Aline (David) Flaten, and Kendall (Monica) Nichols, all of Hawley, MN, and several other loving family members.

She was preceded in death by her father, David Nichols, Climax, MN, on 10/11/2019, grandparents, Katie and Cliff Nichols, Lake Park, MN, and Sophie and Percy Enger, Mayville, ND, Dawn Nichols, and Mark Walstrom.

Visitation will be on Saturday, January 25, 2020, from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M., followed by the funeral service at 2:00 P.M., at Wright Funeral Home, Hawley, MN. Burial will be at Calvary Lutheran Cemetery in Ulen, MN, following the service.

The family would like to thank the countless caregivers, drivers, people that sent flowers, cards and gifts during Marcia’s treatment.  We want extend special thanks to Joanne Michaud and DeAnn Hammer for all of the nights spent with her, scheduling rides, running errands, and caring for TyTy.