Schmitz Funeral Home obituary – Sheryl "Sherry" Lee (Derksen) Nicklaus, 54, Batavia

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NICKLAUS

Sheryl “Sherry” Lee (Derksen) Nicklaus, 54, of Batavia, Illinois, formerly of West Point, passed away

peacefully on Monday May 8, 2017 at her home surrounded by her family. Sherry was born on July

10, 1962 in Fort Madison, Iowa, the daughter of William and Rosanna (Boeding) Derksen. She was

united in marriage to Dennis Nicklaus on June 20, 1987.

Sherry grew up in West Point, Iowa and graduated from the University of Iowa in 1984 with a degree

in Elementary Education. Her first job after college was selling farm chemicals for Chevron. She

later began her career in pharmaceutical sales, retiring in 2002 to spend time raising her daughters,

a decision she never regretted. She devoted her time to her girls' field trips and school events, and

lovingly hosted many birthday parties, sleepovers, and Christmas gatherings for her daughters and

their friends.

Sherry had many artistic talents and made the world a more beautiful place with her floral

arrangements, drawings, and holiday wreaths. She had a passion for traveling internationally with

her husband and family, visiting the world's great art museums, learning about ancient civilizations,

and empathizing with the struggles of indigenous people of the rainforest. Sherry could make new

friends wherever she went and touched everyone with her kindness and endless capacity for love.

Sherry is survived by her loving husband, Dennis Nicklaus; two daughters, Liana (Li Ma) Nicklaus and

Athena Nicklaus; two sisters, Deanna (the late Jerry) Krogmeier and Ginger (Ron) Westberg; one

brother, Greg (Rita) Derksen; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Mary Derksen.

The family will meet with friends from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 14, 2017 at the Schmitz

Funeral Home in West Point where a parish rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. that evening.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 15, 2017 at St. Mary of the Assumption

Catholic Church in West Point with Father Dennis as celebrant.

Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in West Point.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Sherry’s name may be made to: Fox Valley Food for Health

(a truly caring local organization), Amazon Watch (for Sherry's love of the rainforest), or the

American Cancer Society.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

The Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point is assisting the family with arrangements.

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