Karen F. Nickel

Karen Frances Nickel, age 80, of Sykesville, MD passed away on Monday, December 26, 2022, at Bridginglife's Dove House, surrounded by her family. She was born on September 17, 1942, in Clinton, Iowa to the late Frank John Heisterkamp and Catharine E. Heins Heisterkamp. She was the devoted wife of Robert J. Nickel. Karen was a vibrant and bubbly person who loved everyone she met. You can take the girl out of Iowa, but you can't take the Iowa out of the girl. She had many girl friends from her childhood in Iowa who remained close. She attended a small Catholic School from Kindergarten until graduation. Class reunions were a special treat as they could be heard four states away. She met Bob in Chicago, where they worked for the same company. It was Chicago where they started their family. After moving to Maryland in 1980, she was a homemaker for a few years before working at Duffy Foy Interiors where she loved working with design and people. Her next job was at Thomas O'Farrell Youth Center where she was the administrative assistant and responsible for the boy's money. She made many life long friends at both jobs. She was always willing to help in any way possible. She enjoyed writing resumes, letters of recommendation, and any other thing that needed word crafting. Her grandchildren were the center of her life. Karen was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Eldersburg and a charter member of the CDA. She did everything to support them, be it shopping for a Build a Bear, attending football games, cheering at swim meets, or enjoying pom performances. She will be missed by many. Surviving in addition to her husband are daughters and sons-in-laws Stephanie K. and Scott Chaney and Katie M. and Jeff Brown and grandchildren: Jason Klopp, Donovan Chaney, Erin Chaney and Kendell Brown. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 & 6 to 8pm on Monday, January 2, 2023, at Haight Funeral Home & Chapel, 6416 Sykesville Road, Sykesville, MD. A funeral mass will be held at 11am on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Community, 915 Liberty Road, Eldersburg, MD 21784. Inurnment will follow in Springfield Cemetery, Sykesville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bridginglife Hospice, Dove House, 292 Stoner Ave., Westminster, MD 21157 or to Catholic Daughters, St. Joseph Court, Sykesville to be used for Haiti House or to St. Jude Children's Hospital, at stjude.org. Online condolences may be offered at www.haightfuneralhome.com

Karen F. Nickel

September 17, 1942 - December 26, 2022