Betty Lou Nicholson

Betty Lou Nicholson nee Kruse, age 91, died July 13, 2013. Betty was born December 25, 1921, and was reared in Genoa, Ohio, before entering nursing school in Toledo, Ohio. After graduating in 1945, Betty worked in Washington, D.C., and Long Beach, California. She then took a job in a Chicagoland area hospital. After marrying John Nicholson in 1950, she stayed in Chicago until her retirement from St. Bernards Hospital in 1988. Betty had an adventuresome spirit and loved to travel. She had a tremendous love of books often finishing 4-5 per week. Betty was ahead of her time and believed in worldly causes to help the indigent and those in need with her charitable works. She was selfless and compassionate inspiring many to reach their potential and stand on their own two feet. Betty was preceded in death by her beloved grandson, Jake Kiester of Lansing, IL, husband, John E. Nicholson of Chicago, parents, Fred and Louise Kruse of Toledo, Ohio, brother, Fred Kruse and sister-in-law, Elizabeth, of Detroit, MI, and sister, Marilyn Estes of Columbus, Ohio. She is survived by her daughter, Jeanette L. Kiester and her husband, Jeff, of Lansing, IL, and her daughter, Dr. Carole Nicholson, DVM, of Stafford, Virginia, as well as nieces, nephews and cousins. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 17, 2013, in Clay Township Cemetery, Genoa. In lieu of flowers, donations to local animal shelters would be appreciated. The Robinson-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory, 501 West St., Genoa, OH 43430, has assisted the family with arrangements.