NICKLOM
Sharon Nicklom (nee Annable), wife of the late Rudy Nicklom, passed away peacefully at her home on March 6, 2010 after a long and courageous battle with COPD. She will be lovingly remembered by her son Rick Nicklom and her daughter Lori (Albert) Reule. "Nan" will also live on in the hearts of her grandchildren-Kira (Simen) Christoffersen, Tanzi, Ruben, Malcolm and Aislinn Reule and her great granddaughter Tirzah Christoffersen. Sharon was born at home in Nevis to Clifford and Hilda Annable, the fourth of ten children. In this large and close-knit family Sharon developed her life long love of babies and children (she logged lots of babysitting hours with her six younger siblings!) and her musical talents. Sharon and her brothers Mason and Ross won many local amateur hour contests with their singing and guitar playing abilities. Sharon eventually learned how to play guitar, piano, sax and drums - all by ear. She also sang and harmonized and played with several different bands through her lifetime. Most of Sharon's childhood was spent in Nevis and she left home to start working in Stettler at the age of 16. Her cheerful, friendly nature brightened the Nicklom family when she married Rudy in 1959. They spent the next 45 years on the family farm before retiring in Stettler.
Sharon's love of children was a key factor in her success as school bus driver and secretary/librarian at the Big Valley School. She was awarded the Clearview district's Support Staff award of distinction for the 1985-1986 school year where she was recognized for her creative talents in making the library an inviting area with seasonal displays, etc. and for her genuine concern for the all of the children.
Sharon's creativity was endless - from selling and painting beautiful Artex creations, to tole painting, sewing, calligraphy, sign making, scrapbooking, decorating, costume making - you name a craft and she probably tried it and excelled at it. One of the most often heard comments about Sharon was that she always had a smile on her face. Sharon loved to play jokes and laugh and could see the humour in just about any situation. She was one of those people who made everyone feel comfortable and many people turned to her when they needed a shoulder to cry on or a friendly face. Sharon was a genuinely caring person and although she was never able to get a formal nursing degree, she helped many, many people over the years that needed help during an illness. She was a born nurse and you didn't dare tell Sharon you had a sliver or you were pestered until you let her take it out. Even during Sharon's last year, when she was coping with the loss of her husband of 49 years and struggling with her deteriorating health, her first concern was always for others rather than herself. Sharon was predeceased by her husband Rudy in December of 2008, her parents Clifford and Hilda, and her siblings Mason, Ted and Dona. She will be greatly missed by her brothers: Ross (Marion) Annable, Archie Annable, Donald (June) Annable and Larry (Laura Lynn) Annable; sisters Gayle (Archie) Emblau and Karen Hingst; sisters in law Dorothy Annable and Pat Annable; the Nicklom families, well loved nieces, nephews and many dear friends.
Funeral services for Sharon Nicklom were held on Friday, March 12, 2010 at the Heartland Chapel of Stettler Funeral Home with son in law Albert Reule officiating. A loving tribute to their Mom was given by Rick and Lori, and fond memories of "Nan" were shared by granddaughter Kira Christoffersen, Sharon's brother Larry Annable sang a beautiful version of "Sissy's Song" in honor of his sister, nephew Shane Nyuli played "You Are My Sunshine" on his guitar as the processional and was accompanied by Lori Reule on piano for the congregational hymn "I'll Fly Away." Following the service family and friends joined together in the Heartland Fellowship Hall for refreshments and a luncheon prepared and served by the Linda Hall Ladies. Active pallbearers were Ruben Reule, Malcolm Reule, Cole Annable, Shaun Nyuli, Wayne Saar and Trevor Annable, Sharon was laid to rest with her husband Rudy in the Lake View Cemetery, Stettler, Alberta. If friends desire memorial contributions in memory of Sharon may be made to the Alberta Lung Association or a charity of your choice c/o Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium, Box 1780 Stettler, Alberta T0C 2L0. Condolences may be sent to:
sfchapel@telusplanet.net and will be forwarded to the family.