Lena Marie Nichols, 82, of Luray, MO, died Sunday April 11, 2010 at the Country Aire Retirement Estates in Lewistown, MO. She was born May 8, 1927 in Davis County, IA, the daughter of Herley P. and Lena Morehead Ayer. On June 9, 1945 she was united in marriage to her childhood sweetheart, Lowell Vernon Nichols in Keosauqua, IA. They were blessed with 63 ½ years of marriage until he passed away January 19, 2009. Lena loved being with children. She babysat the local children in town for over 40 years. When she wasn't babysitting she enjoyed tending to her garden outside. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother and enjoyed the time she spent with her family. She is survived by her three children, Gilbert Nichols and his wife Joyce of St. Charles, MO, Rodney Nichols, Sr. of Luray, MO, and Ilene Howell and her husband Larry of Wyaconda, MO, her brothers children who she raised as her own, Sheila Wood of Kahoka and Herley Ayer of Oklahoma City, OK, Her grandchildren, Steve Howell and his wife Anne, Gale Howell and his wife Kathy, Laura Miller, Dana Ickes and her husband Dave, Ky Nichols and his wife Mari, Christopher Nichols and his wife Fiona, Rodney Lowell Nichols, Jr. and his wife Shelly, Jeremy Ayer and his wife Farilla, Nakia Ayer, and Brandon Wood and his wife Summer, Her great grandchildren, Darrin Howell and his fiance Odessa, Rebecca McAfee and her husband Scott, Evan Miller, Cody Miller, Seth Ickes, Tanner Ickes, Tori Nichols, Trey Nichols, Colin Nichols, Oliver Nichols, Nevada Wood, Logan Nichols, Carson Nichols, Kacen Ayer, Kasia Ayer, Hoyce Ayer and Skyler Ayer, Her great great grandchildren, Konner Howell and Terrigan McAfee, Her sister, Maxine Strickler of Kahoka, her brother, Alvin Ayer of Kahoka, and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives, along with the neighborhood children. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her brothers and sisters, Clifford, Gilbert, Leland, Robert, Carol, Herley, Jr., Madeline, Clara and Miriam. Graveside services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 13 at the Wyaconda Cemetery with Reverend Dan Deatrick officiating. Memorials may be made to the family.