Susan Gayl Nickel
April 13, 1940 – March 19, 2011

Salem – Susan Gayl Nickel, 70, died Saturday, March 19 in Portland. She was born and grew up in Chicago, IL. She received her Bachelor's degree in Education from Concordia Teacher’s College in River Forest, IL and taught elementary school in the Midwest.  Susan married Joel Nickel on June 16, 1965 in Skokie, IL. They moved to Stayton in 1978.  In Stayton she created the Learning Tree Preschool at Calvary Lutheran Church and nurtured children for 25 years. Susan served as a pastor’s wife for 45 years. She was a devoted mother and grandmother who enjoyed taking care of and teaching her grandchildren.

Susan is survived by her husband: Pastor Joel Nickel of Salem; children: Philip (Sara) Nickel of Salem, Joy (Steve) Gehlen of Hillsboro, and Dan (Jenn) Nickel of Seattle; brother: Donald (Carol) Koetke of Valparaiso, IN; sisters: Bonnie (Jim) Buffa of Sparks, NV and Nancy (Nathan) Roach of Washoe Valley, NV; and stepfather: Kenneth Nelson of Valparaiso, IN; grandchildren: Marc, Elisabeth, Catherine, David, Julia, Maggie and Logan.

“Blessed are the saints who die in the Lord; they rest from their labors and their works do follow them.”

The memorial service will be at Calvary Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 1:30 pm., with inurnment at Calvary Lutheran Columbarium. Contributions may be made to Calvary Lutheran Church or to Hopewell House Hospice in Portland. Serving the family, North Santiam Funeral Service, Stayton.