Bruce "Pappou" T. Nichols' Obituary
Bruce “Pappou” T. Nichols, age 77, of Hartland, passed away from Alzheimer's on Friday, February 21, 2025 at Maple Ridge of Plover Memory Care. Bruce was born on November 21, 1947 to the late Donald and Edith (née Jaeger) Nichols in Superior, Wisconsin.
Bruce was preceded in death by his sister Joan (Edward) Patten, and is survived by his loving wife of forty-three years Susan “Suze” (née Chave) Nichols, son Lawrence (Victoria, née Thornton) Nichols, son Timothy Nichols, grandchildren Aidan, Aspen, Evangeline, Aurora, and Jaxson, as well as children from his first marriage, Scott, Linda, and Lisa. Bruce is also survived by his siblings Bill (Alicia) Nichols, Dan (Connie) Nichols, and Luann Lilly (née Nichols).
After graduating high school in Superior, Bruce traveled the length of the Mississippi River from Superior to The Gulf working the coal barges. Upon leaving the barges, Bruce owned a franchise location of Clark gas stations for several years before pursuing a new career path working in the HVAC field, which also allowed him the opportunity to travel for work at different locations across the United States. On July 10, 1981, he married Suze in Waukesha, WI, where he settled down in the town of Hartland and had two loving sons. After over thirty-five years in HVAC, Bruce retired in 2010 at the age of 62 and moved to Plover in 2024.
Throughout his life, Bruce enjoyed drives in his Mustang, watching his sons play school sports, traveling with his wife and boys on weekend getaways, as well as longer trips to Cocoa Beach in Florida, and visits with his sister Joan in California where they indulged in the local wines. He spent many years enjoying fishing and hunting with a lot of family and friends, as well as ATVing for over a decade.
After grandchildren came along, time was spent closer to home playing with the children and making things for them in his workshop. Bruce was an avid reader and very fond of his backyard birds, taking time to make bird houses and feeders for his feathered friends. Cooking was a favorite activity, both indoors and on the grill, and many a summer night was spent grilling and sitting back with a drink on the deck.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association. Jungers-Holly Funeral Home of Amherst is assisting the family with arrangements.
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