CIRCLEVILLE – Viola Geneva VanDonge Nichols, 88, of Highland, KS, formerly of Circleville, went to heaven April 25, 2012 in Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka with many family members surrounding her. Viola was born January 19, 1924 in Cawker City, KS, the daughter of Daniel Peter and Frances Minnie Schoen VanDonge. She was the last surviving of 6 children.

Viola married Jake Rufus Nichols, Jr. on September 28, 1942 in Seneca, KS. Jake went to be with God January 30, 1992. The couple has 4 daughters, Bev Evans, Judy Allen (Martin) and Jan Wanlass all of Highland, KS plus her youngest, Vickie Root (Rodney) of Topeka, KS. She was blessed with 10 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Viola was not only a homemaker, but worked in a grocery store, cooked in a restaurant, was a 4-H cooking instructor and water bill clerk for the community of Circleville during the many years she lived there. After moving to Highland 20 years ago, she loved the Sunday lunches held every week at Judy and Marty's home and in the afternoon, she could hardly wait to play cards until it was time to go home. She is missed and when we weep, we weep for ourselves, she is at peace.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 28, 2012 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Interment will be in Soldier Cemetery. Viola will lie in state at the funeral home where the family will greet friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time. Memorials may be given to the Highland Senior Center c/o the funeral home, Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.