Joyce Burdette Nichols

Joyce B. Nichols was born on November 30, 1936 at South Haven, MN to Howard J. Locke and Burdette (Brookens) Locke. Her only required chores as a child were making her bed and practicing the piano. At the age of 9, Joyce began playing piano for church services, and continued to serve the Lord through piano playing for 70 years. Over the years she became an accomplished congregational accompanist, as well as accompanying various musical groups and choirs. Though she never believed she was a good piano teacher, she taught many students over the years, could play nearly anything, improvised beautifully, and blessed hearts with her musical expression. Her music was a gift to her children, who have continued that gift and passed it along to the next generation.

She often told the story that she never wanted to marry a farmer or a preacher, but God gave her both. During her Senior year of high school in Ramona, SD, she met Chuck Nichols and they were engaged on her 17th birthday. After her graduation from high school, Chuck and Joyce were married and began their life together in a small trailer. Chuck was drafted into the US Army during the Korean War while Joyce was expecting their first child. They moved to the Nichols family farm near Oldham, SD, where Joyce learned all she needed to know as a farm wife from her mother-in-law. After three children and the Lord’s clear direction, they sold the family farm and moved to Pillsbury Baptist Bible College, where they began training to serve the Lord in full-time ministry and God blessed them with two more children. In January 1969, they moved to Cody, WY where he pastored for 20 years. Joyce was an amazing typist and spent many hours putting together the Intermountain Baptist Bulletin, typing her husband’s messages and printing mimeograph copies of the weekly bulletins. She also helped with various classes at Park Christian Schools, and prepared and directed many memorable Spring Concerts.

In 1988, Chuck & Joyce moved to Minnesota to serve at Independent Baptist Church. Largely due to Joyce’s amazing typist ability and organizational skills, she was hired by Legal Research Center of Minneapolis where she enjoyed the challenges and variety of her job. Joyce’s hobbies included reupholstery and refurnishing old furniture, cooking, knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch, and reading.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Nichols, parents, Howard & Burdette Locke, and her brother, Jay Locke. She is survived by her children: Christine Kelly, Timothy (Patty) Nichols, Sue Jansma, Ellen (Matt) Lendt, Steve (Jeanne) Nichols, fifteen grandchildren and twenty-three great-grandchildren.

Funeral Service at Independent Baptist Church, 15650 Sunfish Lake Blvd NW, Ramsey, Minnesota, on September 21, 2023 at 2:00 PM. Private family interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Tribute movie may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEdIRPGS7is

Condolence cards may be sent to the Nichols family at 5436 199th Ave NW, Nowthen, MN 55303