Maria S. Nichols (Herz)

Maria S. Nichols (Herz), age 94 of Appleton, passed away Thursday, April 15, 2021, surrounded by her family. Maria was born on August 11, 1926 in Weinzierl, Austria, and later resided in Velden Am Worthersee, Austria.

Maria emigrated from Austria in 1952 with her husband and two children through Ellis Island. Her family name is engraved on the American Immigrant Wall of Honor on Ellis Island. She proudly became a United States citizen on Veterans Day, November 11, 1957.

Maria worked at Zwicker Knitting Mills in Appleton for 25 years. She belonged to the D. A. N. K. (German American National Congress) club and loved dancing and music. Maria enjoyed her gardens, mostly the flower gardens. She loved to cook and bake traditional Austrian Dishes and Christmas cookies. Her family especially enjoyed the plum dumplings and Hungarian Goulash. Maria also liked traveling to Europe to visit her family, which still reside in Austria and Switzerland.

Maria was preceded in death by her parents, Johann and Magdalena, mother in law Anna Herz, former husband Josef Herz, son Wilfred Herz, sister Magdalena Waibel, brother August Pibal, sister in laws Anna Drescher and Maria Schroetter, and nephew Joseph Schroetter.

She is survived by and greatly missed by her husband, William R. Nichols, daughter Christine(Jim) Dachelet, daughter in law Joyce Herz, grandson Timothy Carey, grandson Steve(Wendy) Herz, granddaughter, Wendy Daniels, granddaughter Miranda (Jensen) Andrews, as well as William’s daughters Renee (Scott) Schenk and Cheryl Nichols and his grandchildren Karen (Zach) Lane and Adam (Kourtney) Schenk. Maria is also survived by her sister in law Erna Pibal, brother in law Gebhardt Waibel, in Austria. Maria is further survived by her great grandchildren, nieces and nephews in the U.S. and Austria.

The Family wishes to thank Chaplin Ben at Theda Care Hospital, the staff of the Theda Care Hospice and Hospital. Also, thank you to the staff at Country Villa Assisted Living where she resided a short time.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 23rd, 2021 from 10am-11am with service to follow at 11am, with Pastor Dick Schaefer officiating at Valley Funeral Home, 2211 N Richmond St. Appleton, WI.  Masks required.  https://fb.me/valleyfh

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