Della Ruth Nichols, 94, of La Porte, IN, passed away Saturday, May 30, 2020, at Life Care Center of Michigan City.

 

She was born August 6, 1925, in Elkhart, Indiana, the daughter of Walter and Ida Mae (Long) Ott.

 

On February 10, 1945, in La Porte, she married William F. Nichols who preceded her in death in 2008.

 

In 1940, Della was afflicted with Polio. She was the first patient to have muscle replacement in Indiana.

 

During WWII, Della worked at Kingsbury Ordinance Plant and was known as "Rosie The Riveter". She retired from American Home Foods, La Porte, where she was on the Jiffy Pop popcorn line.

A lifelong resident of the area, Della was a member of the First United Methodist Church as well as a member of the Maple Leaf Motorcycle Club, Springfield Twp.  She was an avid Notre Dame fan and loved everything to do with them. Della also enjoyed NASCAR and was a hummingbird lover. She loved reading Danielle Steel books, cross-stitch, knitting, and sewing as well as craftwork, playing bingo and crocheting. Because of her joy of camping, she spent 15 years in her second home at Campland in Frostproof, FL.

 

Della is survived by her two daughters, Linda Szymkowski of Michigan City, Deborah (Ralph) Jones of Rolling Prairie; son Garry (Paula ) Nichols of Trail Creek; two sisters Helen Schaible of La Porte, and  Mary Williams of Mesquite, TX; grandchildren, Danny, LaDonna, Brian, Phillip, Garry, Josh and Jenny; great-grandchildren, Mary Jayne, Colin, Lilianna, Dominic, Bailee, Lily, Camie, Calie, Aubrey, Adalynn, Gavin, Kevin, Kayla, Koral, Kyle, Taylor, Travis, Danielle, Brittany, and Nicole, and a great-great-granddaughter Jazmyn, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Along with her parents and husband, Della was preceded in death by 4 sisters, Dorothy Nichols, Elzora Hawkins, Betty Tyler, and Lula Bell; and her son in law, Larry Szymkowski.

 

Arrangements are being entrusted to Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 602 Maple Ave., La Porte, IN where the family will receive friends for a viewing Wednesday, June 3 from 10 am unti12 noon. Her funeral service will take place at 12 noon Wed., with Jeff Zigler, First Church of God, La Porte, officiating.  Interment will follow at the Pine Lake Cemetery, La Porte, IN.

 

Memorial contributions may be made in Della's honor to the South La Porte County Special Education Cooperative to benefit all students with specials needs. 602 “F Street La Porte, IN 46350 

 

Online condolences may be made at www.haverstockfuneralhome.com.