Bertha Faye Wadel

Bertha Nikkel Wadel was born to Abraham and Annie Friesen Nikkel on February 3, 1943, in McPherson, Kansas. She peacefully took her last breath in the early morning hours on April 8, 2022, at Hospice House in Paducah, Kentucky. She made the most of the seventy-nine years which God granted her.

She accepted God's call, committed her life to Him and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, on December 27, 1956, by Minister John Penner at Inman, Kansas. Her faith and love for her Savior meant everything to her and she portrayed this by the encouragements she gave each one of us. She accepted life patiently and was faithful until the angels took her home.

As the oldest of three children, she enjoyed doing her part on the farm, spending many hours working in the field on their Ford 8N. She inherited a love of the outdoors from her mother and we treasure the memories of her gardens and many flowers. Her flower gardens were outstanding and full of color.

While serving as a cook at the Tucumcari service unit in New Mexico, she met her future life's companion, William Wadel. They were married at Zion Church, Inman, Kansas, by her father, Minister Abe Nikkel, on February 9, 1964. They shared life's ups and downs for 58 years and their five children were precious to them. Dad and mom lived different places and made many friends throughout their lives. As their children grew up and married, mom welcomed her children's spouses into the family with open arms.

Mother loved singing and her father had the notes of the scale written on the wall in the barn, which she practiced while milking the cows. This love stayed with her throughout her life and she enjoyed teaching music several years when they lived at Walker, Missouri. We enjoyed singing when we as a family would gather and when the grandchildren came, she loved to hear them sing.

Christmas at Grandpa and Grandma's house was a highlight for the children and grandchildren; she unselfishly would buy gifts for everyone. Grandma's candy jar in the pantry was never off limits to the grandchildren, and she loved baking Christmas goodies for everyone.

Mother appreciated the little things in life that dad would do for her and often gratefully expressed this to him, especially recently, as her health declined.

Those left with precious memories are: her sorrowing husband, William Wadel, Murray, Kentucky; five children: Sheri and Dalen Nichols, Nokomis, Florida, Marlin and Darla Wadel, Inman, Kansas, Kathy and Kevin Koehn, Inman, Kansas, John and Diana Wadel, Rector, Arkansas, and Donovan and Linda Wadel, Farmington, Kentucky; sixteen grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; stepmother, Delma Nikkel, Moundridge, Kansas; one sister, Irene and Percy Toews, Inman, Kansas, one brother, LaVern and Ruth Nikkel, Inman, Kansas; two sisters in law, Sharon Huston, Butler, Missouri, Linda and Joe McDaniel, Rich Hill, Missouri; two brothers in law, Walter and Marilyn Wadel, Garden City, Kansas, Jim Wadel, Peculiar, Missouri.

Preceding her in death were: her parents, parents in law, one granddaughter, and one brother in law.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Harmony Mennonite Church with Jeff Goertzen, Donavon Koehn, and Maynard Koehn officiating. Burial will follow in the Harmony Mennonite Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., on Sunday, April 10, 2022, at the Harmony Mennonite Church.

Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Lourdes Foundation, Attn: Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center at Mercy Health, 1530 Lone Oak Road, Paducah, Kentucky 42003.

Online condolences can be made at, www.thejhchurchillfuneralhome.com