Tribute

Frieda Nickel passed away peacefully on January 24 th , 2023 surrounded by loved ones. She was 87 years
old. Frieda was born May 4 th , 1935 in Capasin, Saskatchewan. Her fraternal twin brother, Albert loved to
say that he was born first. The family, which consisted of parents, John and Katharina Siebert, brothers
John and Albert, and sister Selma, moved to Sardis, B.C. when the twins turned 5. They bought a small,
mixed farm on Stevenson Road. They all attended the Greendale Mennonite Brethren Church. The kids
attended the local schools, took piano lessons, helped with the chores and were well-loved.
In the “Big Flood of ‘48”, their big dry barn became the gathering place for church services for a while.
Summers were spent picking raspberries, and in the Fall, picking hops. Peter Nickel remembers listening
to Frieda and Albert play word games with each other to pass the time in the fields. Frieda loved to
laugh and joke around. In her teens, she and her friends went to a restaurant, penniless, and ordered
toothpicks and water!
Frieda attended Sharon Mennonite for middle school before the flood. After graduating from Chilliwack
High School, she attended M.E.I. for Grade 13. Here, she got to know Peter Nickel. They both had parts
in “a boring play.” They had a great year. Frieda was on the women’s basketball team and she loved to
watch Peter play basketball, softball, and sing in the choir. There was also a lot of ping pong playing.
She usually won. After High School, Frieda lived with her sister in Vancouver, and worked at a photo
shop delivering pictures to various drug stores.
Frieda was happy to become a part of Peter’s large Nickel family when they married in December, 1955.
With her older brother, John, cowboying in Caribou Country and beyond; sister Selma finding a career in
the big city, and Albert galivanting around the globe with the Canadian Armed Forces, she felt that a
large family would fill the seats at Christmas and at other gathering times.
While Peter studied at Teachers’ College in Vancouver, Frieda was the homemaker and soon, mother.
The young family moved to Chilliwack to finish Peter’s practicum. Then Peter taught on Vancouver
Island and in the Interior. Frieda packed a lot of moving boxes.
They eventually settled in rural Chilliwack, B.C. on a small hobby farm. Peter taught elementary school
and Frieda held down the fort. They often planted a huge garden. There were also fruit and nut trees,
and wild blackberries, which kept them busy picking, canning, and pickling.
Frieda was active in her church and volunteered in her children’s classrooms. She played the piano for
many recorder and choir concerts, and attended many band and choir concerts for her husband and
children. When most of the kids were older, she worked shifts at a canning factory. She enjoyed both
the variety of processes and people.
Frieda was a life-long learner. She attended college to complete a certificate in health and home care
for the elderly. She worked in this field for 5 years and found it very fulfilling.
A stand-out year for Peter and Frieda was the teacher exchange in Whitehorse, Yukon. They were
warmly welcomed by the school and church folks. It was wonderful. They were able to travel in the
area extensively.

After retirement they travelled far and wide to visit their spread-out family.
Another stand-out was the trip they took with Peter’s brother, Jake and his wife, Helen. They toured
Canada, New England, and the U.S. Midwest. It was an excellent time.
Frieda began showing signs of Alzheimer’s in her late sixties. The homestead was a mainstay for 47 years
until Frieda required more care. She and Peter moved into Hampton House in 2014 and enjoyed several
good years with friends and caring staff. Eventually, they found a room to share in Cascade Lodge, with
an equally kind and caring staff. Frieda greatly appreciated her care-givers. Heartfelt thanks to you all,
most especially Joan.
Frieda leaves behind her children: Sharon (Ken). Jim (Lana), Dianne (Al), Darlene (Alan), Susan and Jerry;
12 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Helen Nickel, Frieda Nickel, Rosalie Siebert, and
numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom she cherished deeply.
Our mother was the chief cook and bottle washer, chauffeur, softball coach, gardener, lunch maker,
piano player, church and school volunteer, custodian, factory worker, care aid, good listener, rambling
story-teller, creative album maker, household organizer, researcher, and writer/editor of several
genealogy books. She always enjoyed a good laugh, even if it was at herself.
Frieda was a proud mother and grandmother, a loving and supportive spouse, and a good friend. She
was a lover of peace and justice, and she walked humbly with her God. We are grateful and blessed.
A celebration of life for both Frieda and Peter Nickel is planned for Saturday, June 24 th , 2 p.m. at Yarrow
United Mennonite church, 4336 Eckert Rd., Yarrow, B.C. All are welcome!