Joanna “Jan” R. (Hessman) Nicholas
Joanna “Jan” R. (Hessman) Nicholas, 79, died Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at Trinity Manor, Dodge City.
She was born December 26, 1936 in rural Ford County, the daughter of Fred and Roberta (Herman) Hessman. She received her education at the “Sears” School in rural Ford County and was a 1954 graduate of St. Mary of the Plains High School. She was an avid sports player including fast pitch softball for the Dodge City May Bees and the Kline Klippers. Later she played in the Ft. Worth Texas League.
In 1956 she met and married Ronald Nicholas. During the Atlas and Titan Missile Crisis, she followed her husband to several states to follow the Federal Contracts. She spent time at home with her girls and taking care of her upholstery business. After working for many companies Jan and her husband opened Great Plains Development Federal Money Lending.
She was a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Daughters of Isabella both in Dodge City.
Survivors include: her daughter, Peggy Segrest and husband Bill, Bealeton, Virginia; 4 brothers, Bob Hessman, Dodge City, Jerry Hessman and wife Linda, Dodge City, Tom Hessman, Dodge City and Bill Hessman, Springfield, Missouri; a sister, Linda Olney and husband Neil, Hayden Lake, Idaho; 2 grandchildren, Anthony Robbins and wife Monica, Leesburg, Virginia and CJ Robbins, Norman, Oklahoma; 3 great grandchildren, Logan, Gavin, and Maddie; and numerous nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron, on July 11, 1992, her daughter, Debra Nicholas, her parents, her sister, Judy Hessman, a brother, Mike Hessman, in-laws, Chester and Elma Nicholas, Shirley and Elmer Thompson and a sister-in-law, Ruth Hessman.
Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 4:00 pm Friday, November 18, 2016 and vigil service at 7:00 pm Friday both at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City. Cremation will follow the rosary. Memorial Mass will be 10:00 am Saturday at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 901 Central Ave., Dodge City with Fr. Aneesh Parappanattu presiding. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, Dodge City. Visitation will be Friday from noon to 7:00 pm at Ziegler Funeral Chapel.
The family suggests memorials to the Sacred Heart School Endowment in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.
