Bea graduated from Marengo Community High School in1951. She received her RN nursing degree from Copley Hospital in Aurora, IL in 1954, and worked at Sherman Hospital in Elgin, IL. After her marriage to Frank Nickels on June 8, 1957, she worked for over 30 years at Woodstock Memorial Hospital (now Northwestern). She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Marengo and a member of Zion Ladies Aid.
She is survived by her husband, Frank of 63 years; her daughter, Beth (Michael) Nickels-Wisdom and son Tom (Kathy) Nickels and her grandchildren Michael and Kelly Nickels. She is preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Lorraine, and her brothers, George A. (Florence) Tessendorf and Robert (Martha) Tessendorf.
Visitation from 9am until time of Service at 11am at Zion Lutheran Church on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. Interment to follow at Marengo City Cemetery. Memorial contributions maybe made to: Zion Lutheran Church, 412 Jackson St., Marengo, IL 60152. Arrangements entrusted to Marengo-Union Funeral Home, for information call (815) 568-8131.