Phyllis Ann Nickels

life story

A loving mother, grandmother and friend

A loving mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, Phyllis Nickels carried that same deep affection for her chosen family. She showed us all what it means to open our hearts—teaching us to accept, nurture, and support everyone who entered our lives.

Phyllis Ann Nickels, age 88 of Apple Valley, MN, passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of September 19, 2026. Born in Aurora, IL, she grew up on her family’s farm in nearby Sugar Grove, the youngest of seven children. She attended Madonna High School in Aurora, IL before traveling to Dubuque, IA to study Nutrition and Dietetics at Clarke College, graduating in 1960. Phyllis interned as a dietician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA. Phyllis moved to Minnesota where she married John Harold LeMay and raised their three children: Karen, Susan and John.

Phyllis was devoted to raising her active children full-time while they were young, eventually working part-time and then full-time as a registered dietician at Dakota Communities, now Living Well Disability Services. Phyllis supported her children taking lessons in swimming, skating and tennis, piano and band. She then attended years of tennis matches, football games and band and choir concerts, proud to see her kids doing what they loved. A gentle spirit who preferred happy children to sad ones, Phyllis invented “LeMay rules” for card games and board games that helped prevent tears and made happier endings for all, even if one was on the losing end.

A woman of deep faith, unconditional love, and remarkable warmth, Phyllis was passionate about LGBTQIA+ rights and volunteered with PFLAG Minnesota (Parents, Family & Friends of Lesbians and Gays) for over 25 years. She marched with parents in PRIDE parades, hosted PFLAG booths at parenting conferences and served on the PFLAG board of directors for many years. Phyllis quietly founded and led a family & friends support group in her local parish, where she also volunteered as a eucharistic minister.

Phyllis was an avid gardener, often recruiting her children and grandchildren to lend a helping hand in the garden. She loved cross country and downhill skiing, playing tennis, sharing long lunches and laughter with her friends, dancing and deep water exercise. Above all, she treasured time spent with her family, especially her seven adoring grandchildren. Phyllis had a remarkable gift for making people feel at home. She created a safe haven for anyone who needed one, and she welcomed many into her life who would go on to become part of her chosen family.

Although Phyllis lived with dementia, her true self continued to shine through in the grace and kindness she showed the staff and fellow residents at The Wealshire of Bloomington, where she spent the last three and a half years of her life. Her quiet wit surfaced at the most unexpected moments, delighting and surprising us right to the end.

Phyllis is preceded in death by parents Philip and Gertrude Nickels, siblings Paul (Dorothy) Schneider, Catherine Schneider, Fr. Robert Schneider, John Nickels, Gerald (Mary) Nickels and brother-in-law, Ralph Morris.

She will be lovingly remembered by her sister, Jean Morris, children Karen (Ruth) LeMay, Susan (Evan Brewer) LeMay Yermishkin, John (Lisa) LeMay, and grandchildren Sonya and Anya Yermishkin, Dayton and Carmen LeMay, Alex (Taylor), Nate, and Luci LeMay, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great grandchildren, and cousins.

memorial service

Celebration of Life for Phyllis Nickels

October 6, 2026

Rosemount Community Center 13885 S Robert Trail, Rosemount, MN 55068, USA

The gathering will be from 1pm to 4 pm with a service starting at 2 pm and ending at 3 pm. Please park in the south lot and enter the community center through door #2.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services