Wanda Nickoli

Jan 26, 1954 -

Oct 22, 2020

Wanda Louella Nickoli, age 66, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on Oct. 22, 2020, after a long and enduring fight with cancer.

Wanda was born in Dallas, Texas, in 1954, and moved to Alaska in 1982. Wanda served Alaska as a teacher in Russian Mission, Hooper Bay, and Pilot Station for more than 10 years before she took on her higher calling working with people who have disabilities. She worked tirelessly to support disabled communities in Fairbanks, Bethel, and Palmer for more than 20 years. She dedicated her life to the service of others.

Wanda is survived by her husband, Nick; five children, Jason, Matthew, Nicholas, Stephen and Tanya; 10 grandchildren; and her brother, Dwynn Ellis. She joins her father and mother, Charles Russell Ellis and Margaret Preston; her stepfather, William Crump; her father-in-law, Henry Nickoli; and her brother, Richard Ellis, in Heaven. Wanda will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, teacher, counselor and proud Alaskan.

The family is hosting a small memorial service at Saint Francis Church located at 432 East Fireweed Avenue in Palmer, Alaska, at 5 p.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020.