Karla is survived by her husband, David Nicol, of Leawood, KS; her sister, Laine Kathary (Doug) of Columbus, OH; her son, Jonathon Nicol (Claire); her daughter, Jennifer Sheffield (Robert), of Fairway, KS; and her beloved grandchildren, Stellan and Emmett Nicol and June and Arlo Sheffield.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Phil and Velma Kasper, of Cleveland, OH.
Karla was born on December 29, 1946 in Hollywood, CA, to Phil and Velma Kasper (both originally from Cleveland, OH). A few years later, they moved back to Cleveland, where Karla grew up, and where Karla met her husband, David (over a bottle of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the first of many bottles of wine the couple shared over their 50 years together). Karla and David met at the Case Institute of Technology, where Karla was working in the department of economics when David arrived for graduate school. Later, she worked in the corporate staff at TRW in Cleveland. Karla and David married in 1971, had two children in Cleveland in 1978 and 1982, and moved to Overland Park, KS, in 1984 after David accepted a job with United Telecom/Sprint. While not a native of Kansas City, Karla loved the arts, entertainment, and restaurants the city had to offer and quickly considered it home.
In 1994 Karla started a very successful dog grooming business. She also was a keen birdwatcher with a special love of hummingbirds (which she was known to feed by hand!). She found beauty and inspiration in the natural world and loved the simple joys of watching the thunderstorms roll in in spring and the changing leaves in the fall. She loved road trips with David, hosting big family gatherings, and waiting for the coldest day of the winter to make her famous Polish Hunter's Stew for the family. But most of all Karla loved her four grandchildren, in whose hearts she will live forever as "Mimi."
Karla will be remembered for her spicy personality, her impeccable style, and her infectious laughter. She will be deeply missed.
Visitation at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1st at McGilley and Hoge Chapel, 8024 Santa Fe Dr, Overland Park, KS 66204, followed by a service at 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Association or Wayside Waifs.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcgilleyhoge.com for the Nicol family.
